West Bromwich Albion FC, The Baggies

thnks they are cute footy player lol

Aww thanks Hope we aren't relegated this season that's all xx

Boss: We Were Found Wanting

Tony Mowbray admitted his team were found lacking at both ends of the pitch as Stoke's 2-0 win dealt a major blow to their survival chances.

The Baggies once more shot themselves in the foot as early as the second minute when Shelton Martis misjudged a bouncing ball, allowing Ricardo Fuller to fire through Scott Carson.

Albion tried in vain to find an equaliser but - barring Chris Brunt's 65th-minute strike rattling the crossbar - struggled to make a clear-cut chance.

And James Beattie's effort four minutes into the second half killed off any realistic hopes of a victory.

"I would not accuse the players of a lack of effort or determination," said Mowbray.

"We got hurt from what we have been hurt from all season - poor defending.

"You plan all week for a game but those plans went out of the window after two minutes.

"The bottom line is that it is all about footballers.

"We were found wanting at both ends of the pitch.

"It wasn't just about the goals we conceded because not scoring at home is always frustrating and disappointing.

"At both ends of the pitch we fell short.

"To give Stoke a goal after two minutes was a scenario we didn't want.

"We talked about getting the first goal and trying to drag them out but we played into their hands.

"Great credit to them - they defend very well.

"Even at the death they were still throwing their bodies in and getting blocks. "

The Hawthorns defeat means Albion have taken only one point from back-to-back home games against Bolton and the Potters.

And Mowbray's men are now eight points adrift of safety, with seven games remaining.

"The only result that mattered was this one and it was a huge disappointment," the Baggies boss added.

"We spoke a couple of weeks ago about two home games coming up and we have only taken one point.

"That makes life very difficult for us.

"Ultimately, we weren't good enough today but no-one at our club is going to capitulate."

Mowbray refused to question his side's attitude after a nine-game winless league run during which individual mistakes have been costly.

"I have said all along football is about philosophies and the way you want to play," he said.

"There is nothing right and there is nothing wrong.

"I am not going to change my mind on how football should be played.

"There is nothing wrong with my team's attitude.

"It is first-class.

"They apply themselves every week to the job.

"How the first goal went in was nothing to do with attitude.

"It was not about being a warrior.

"It was a mistake - and that is football.

"Players are human beings who make mistakes."


Olsson Refusing To Throw In Towel

Jonas Olsson admits Albion now face an uphill task to beat the drop after Saturday's disappointing 2-0 defeat by Stoke - but insists no-one at the club is throwing in the towel.

The bottom-placed Baggies are eight points from safety with seven games remaining to try and preserve their Barclays Premier League status.

And the giant Swede, who was handed the captain's armband when Jonathan Greening and Paul Robinson were substituted in the second half against the Potters, has urged his team-mates not to dwell on the Midlands derby reverse.

"We are a long way behind but I am still hoping and believing that we can do it," he said.

"Let's just hope.

"Everyone will say that we are down but we have to still believe - and we do.

"We know it's going to be tough because this was one three-pointer we really needed.

"But now we just have to go on to Portsmouth and try to beat them instead.

"That's the way it works and it's how you have to think as a player.

"No-one feels as bad as the 20 players and staff sitting in the changing room.

"We are devastated but for us life has to go on.

"There are still seven games and we still have a chance.

"That's the way we have to think.

"I think during the immediate hours after the game you have to be devastated.

"That's a sign that we are all passionate about it and we all do really care.

"But, from today, we have to keep going and keep believing.

"That's the only way to turn it around.

"I still hope and believe.

"People might say that is naive but for me hope is about still believing something is possible even if all the evidence is to the contrary."

Olsson insisted the Baggies were always facing an uphill task once they conceded a second-minute opener to Ricardo Fuller on Saturday.

But he feels Tony Mowbray's men never got their game going to impose themselves on a City side who previously had not won a league game on the road all season.

"I, like everyone else in the stadium, was hoping for three points but it wasn't to be," the £800,000 summer signing added.

"They were better than us and we got a little bit sucked into their way of playing - it was a bad game from us.

"If you read the papers or felt the atmosphere in the group before the game, everybody was saying our form was better and, if you look at the last two games, the form was coming.

"But in this game we got off to a bad start.

"We had a few chances and maybe if we had scored and made it 1-1 it would have been a completely different game - but that's football.

"The longer you play the game the more you realise that the margins between winning and losing are pretty small.

"I agree it was bad defending, but that is what we worked on last week because we knew that was the way they played.

"When they get the ball, they kick it in the channel and chase after it.

"Shelton misjudged the bounce of the ball in the build up to the first goal but, to be fair to him, after getting off to a start like that, he had a decent game.

"It's not nice to make a start like that but you have to realise there are still 88 minutes to play.

"It's the hard facts of life but you have to try to put that to one side and keep believing you are going to turn the game around.

"I don't think anyone can say that we aren't trying.

"We just weren't good enough on Saturday.

"It was that simple."


Mulumbu Set For Long-Awaited Debit

Youssouf Mulumbu will finally pull on an Albion shirt for the first time when the club tonight tackle the first of two meetings with Portsmouth inside five days.

The reserves face Pompey at The Hawthorns (ko 7pm) before the first team's Barclays Premier League date at Fratton Park on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Loan signing Mulumbu is expected to start in central midfield after enduring a frustrating time since joining from Paris Saint Germain in January.

The 22-year-old's playing chances have been hampered by a thigh injury suffered five weeks ago, denying him any appearances for the first or second strings.

But he has now completed a full recovery to take part in tonight's Premier Reserve League (South) clash, when Michael Appleton's men will bid to bounce back from two successive defeats.

Other senior players on duty include ex-Pompey keeper Dean Kiely, Carl Hoefkens, Graham Dorrans, Do-heon Kim, Juan Carlos Menseguez, Luke Moore and Roman Bednar.

ALBION (from): Kiely, Samuels, Martin, Downing, Hoefkens, Mulumbu, Gayle, Labadie, Kim, Dorrans, Knight, Wood, Bednar, Moore, Lake-Gaskin, Menseguez.

"Youss" In Our Thoughts

Peter Grant has reassured Youssouf Mulumbu he has a part to play during Albion's seven-game run-in.

The defensive midfielder finally made his Albion debut last night in a useful 90-minute run-out in the reserves' 3-0 defeat by Portsmouth at The Hawthorns.

Mulumbu joined the Baggies on loan from Paris Saint Germain in January but his first-team chances have been limited by a thigh injury suffered in the build-up to the Fulham trip five weeks ago.

However, after proving his fitness last night, Grant says the 22-year-old is very much in the management team's thoughts.

He said: "The unfortunate thing for Youssouf was that he came in and was very close to playing in a game prior to his injury.

"We were then going to play him in a reserve game but he got called up by the DR Congo and went away with them.

"We're playing at a different level to what he's been used to and it's tough to just stick him in.

"We wanted to see him in a game scenario first."

Grant says Mulumbu's enthusiasm for the game knows no bounds.

So much so that he was willing to play even though he was injured!

"Youssouf's looked sharp enough in training and the boy's desperate to play," added the Celtic legend.

"A few weeks ago, we saw him running about in training even though he was limping.

"He was only kicking the ball with one foot and was still saying he was fit to play!

"We were the ones having to tell him he wasn't fit!

"That's a great thing to have, though, that desire to play.

"There's all possibilities for him between now and the end of the season. There's no doubt about that."


Grant Sympathy For Olympian Gianni

Gianni Zuiverloon is toiling in the 'graveyard shift' because of his extended season.

That is the view of first-team coach Peter Grant, who says the young right-back is displaying the classic signs of burnout.

Zuiverloon missed Albion's Barclays Premier League opener at Arsenal as he was on Olympics duty with Holland but soon established himself as a firm fans' favourite during the opening months of the term.

He snuffed out the threat of opposition wingers - particularly excelling against Villa's Ashley Young, Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo - and his pace spearheaded numerous attacks.

Zuiverloon hasn't quite lived up to his early-season form since returning from a month-long knee-injury lay-off at the end of January.

But Grant believes that is quite understandable.

"It's been a long season for Gianni," said the former Norwich boss.

"He played in the Olympics during the summer, didn't have a proper break and this is his first season in the Premier League.

"The position he plays is a very, very difficult one.

"People used to call it the graveyard shift because you're always running up and down the full length of the pitch.

"We're constantly on his case because, at the start of the season, he was doing that.

"But he was in full flow then.

"He'd just come back from the Olympics and his fitness levels were probably higher than everybody else's.

"But that can have the opposite effect at the end of the season.

"He worked right through last season with his previous club and then the summer at the Olympics before coming straight to us without any breaks.

"You don't know the effect that can have on a player - and he's only a young man.

"He also hasn't had a rest during the international breaks because he's always been called up, be it for the Under-21s or B internationals."

Grant has no doubts Albion have a real talent on their hands in 22-year-old Zuiverloon, who joined in a £3.2million deal from Heerenveen last July.

"There's no questioning Gianni's ability," added the Scot.

"Young boys will always come in and have a burst.

"Like everyone else, we've seen the level he was at at the start of the season and, because of that, you question why you don't see him do it week in, week out.

"But when you look at it in the cold light of day, that's near enough impossible.

"The unfortunate thing with Gianni is that people remember what he was doing at the start of the season and expect that constantly.

"Sometimes, that's not possible due to lots of things - the pace of the Premier League, the quality you're playing against, concentration levels and fitness levels.

"Gianni has fitness in abundance but sometimes the fatigue's not in your legs. It's in your head.

"That can come through playing a lot of games and the demands of playing his position.

"We know he's a top quality player.

"He's just got to do the simple things well.

"If he does, he'll be fine."

Season-Ending Injury Fears For James Morrison
29th April 2009

West Brom midfielder James Morrison may miss the remainder of the season with a foot problem according to manager Tony Mowbray.

The Scotland international is touch and go for this weekend although Mowbray can see the injury going the other way and keeping him out for weeks.

"Best-case scenario is he feels fine and has a chance for the weekend," Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail.

"Worst-case scenario is he isn't and it could be weeks and weeks. He's been on antibiotics and they have basically done the job.

"It was as bad a blister as you've seen, with skin going over skin, over skin. It became infected and the antibiotics have cleaned the infection up.

"But let's wait and see. We might need to go in and scrape some of the dead skin away."

Olsson Accepts Criticism Of West Brom Defence
29th April 2009

Bottom of the table West Brom have come in for criticism this campaign for their poor defensive performances.

And Jonas Olsson feels such comments have been justified.

The tall Swede opened the scoring against Sunderland on Saturday but admitted that keeping a clean sheet was more important to him.

"The clean sheet gave me a lot more pleasure than the goal," said Olsson.

"It is always nice to score and there is no greater feeling on a football pitch.

"But there has been a lot of criticism for the defence during the season and I can understand why because we've conceded a lot of goals."

Olsson admits that the Baggies defence has let the team down, but was also quick to point out that it is a team game.

"I think the criticism has been fair. You can't close your eyes to reality. We concede a lot of goals so I think it's fair criticism.

"But it's not only the back four. You defend as a team and attack as a team with all 11 players".

Fortune The Catalyst For Brunt
1st May 2009

In-form Albion winger Chris Brunt has hailed unsung hero Marc-Antoine Fortune as the catalyst to his recent goal glut.

Brunt reckons the link-up play of the hard-working Frenchman is one of the main reasons behind a run of four goals in three matches, that have propelled the wideman to the top of the Baggies scoring charts.

The wide man said: “He is a strong guy too, and he is good for me to play with, especially coming in from the right because I can play things in to his feet and follow it in to goalscoring areas.

“Because he is such a strong lad he holds the ball well. He has been a big part if the system we are playing as well because of his physical side of the game.

“No disrespect to the other strikers we have got at the club, but he is the only player that can play that role for us at the minute.

“It has worked well. The results haven’t always been there to show it for us but are going in the right direction, performance-wise.”

Brunt heads with Albion to Tottenham insisting they can still pull off an unlikely escape from relegation if they win at White Hart Lane.

He said: “We still are not out of it by any stretch but a couple of results went well for us at the weekend."

West Brom Face Premier League Battle To Keep Fortune
1st May 2009

West Brom face a battle to hold onto on-loan Marc-Antoine Fortune.

While the Baggies have begun talks with Fortune's parent club, Nancy, about a permanent deal for the striker, French sources say Premiership rivals have also been in touch.

Stoke City and Wigan Athletic have been linked with Fortune, who has impressed since his January arrival at the Hawthorns.

Greening Hails West Brom Efforts
1st May 2009

Skipper Jonathan Greening believes West Brom have been "a credit to division" even though they could be on the verge of being relegated from the Barclays Premier League.

And the former Manchester United star has urged supporters to keep faith in manager Tony Mowbray's philosophies and way of playing the game.

The Baggies will go into Sunday's game at Tottenham six points adrift of fourth from bottom Hull who visit Aston Villa 24 hours later.

But they gave themselves a glimmer of hope by ending a 12-match sequence without a victory by triumphing 3-0 at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland last weekend.

Greening, who has already pledged to stay with West Brom if they are relegated, said: "All we can do now is give it everything we've got in the last four games and hope we can get some wins on board.

"Over the season I think we've been a credit to the division. Some of our football has been really good at times and we're really not far away from being a successful side at this level.

"We are just missing a bit of experience at the back and maybe a regular goalscorer but we have got some good players. We are definitely playing the right way."

Greening is convinced that Mowbray, who guided West Brom to promotion in his first full season, is the right manager to take the club forward long term.

He said: "People need to keep faith in what we are doing, in the manager and his ideas. Ours is mainly a young side and we will keep getting stronger and come back better again next season.

"The manager has done a great job and everybody is right behind the way he does things. He's a top guy and a great coach.

"Since he has been here, the club has come on leaps and bounds and the way we play gets a lot of plaudits from everyone who is a football fan.

"We all believe in the way he likes to play. Overall, it is a club on the up and has got a real bright future. A club like this, with a manager like we have got, can only got better."

Greening is looking for Albion to give their long suffering fans some reward for their backing during 2008-2009 in the closing weeks of the campaign.

He said: "The big thing is for us to finish the season on a high and give the supporters something to enjoy.

"They have been great with us all season, never on our backs so we want to give them something back. They believe in the way we play and never give us any stick.

"We would love to give them a few wins to take into the summer.

"The situation is not great for us but the character we are showing is really good, everybody is plugging away, nobody's head is going down and that's credit to them."

Greening is desperate for Albion to stay in the top flight but believes some members of the more inexperienced members of the squad may benefit from a season in the Coca-Cola Championship.

He said: "The Championship is a tough league with some tough teams in there and sometimes it can help you to grow as a player.

"For some of the young lads, to play in a strong league like the Championship, can make you stronger mentally and physically and prepare you better for the next time in the Premier League.

"It didn't do me harm having two years in the Championship. I played 55 games both seasons and it was some of the best football I ever played.

"Also sometimes you've got to look at the football aspect of it and take that on board as well."

Dorrans Agrees New West Brom Deal
8th May 2009

Scotland Under-21 midfielder Graham Dorrans has been handed a new contract at West Bromwich Albion.

Dorrans has agreed a three-year deal with a further year's option in the club's favour.

The 22-year-old joined the Baggies from Livingston in July 2008 for an initial cost of £100,000.

He has won five Under-21 caps for Scotland and was called up to the B squad to play Northern Ireland this week but had to withdraw injured.

Cech Set For Summer Exit
8th May 2009

Marek Cech intends to leave West Brom this summer after growing frustrated at a lack of opportunities.

The Slovakia international only joined the Baggies from Porto in July 2008, but has endured a torrid time at The Hawthorns.

He has been restricted to just two Premier League starts, with his route to Tony Mowbray's first team blocked by club stalwart Paul Robinson.

Cech admits he cannot afford to play back-up for any longer, especially with the 2010 World Cup fast approaching, and will now be looking to take on a new challenge at the end of the season.

"My season here at West Brom is the worst of my career. For sure I'm looking to a change of club because of this year," he said.

"I think things won't change here, I need to leave to play whole games.

"I'm a national player, I need to play. If I don't play I will lose my place in the national team.

"We are first in the qualifying table now, we have a big chance to go to the World Cup, and if I'm not there I'd be very sad."

Critics Only Inspire The Albion Fight
12th May 2009

Albion manager Tony Mowbray has revealed how doom-mongers in the media helped inspire his players to keep their survival hopes alive.

The Baggies boss says pundits who wrote off his team’s chances of staying up have fired them up to take their campaign into the final two games.

Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Wigan revived Albion’s slim hopes of a second ‘Great Escape’ in four seasons.

Mowbray said: “We talked before the game about the negativity around the match from a lot of the media and it was important that the players didn’t lay down and die.

“They showed a lot of that spirit out there on the field and that paid dividends in the end and we got the goals. We did have good fortune once or twice and Dean Kiely made some great saves.

“Great credit to the team and the supporters again because we had it rammed down our throats all week that it was possibly the game in which Albion would be relegated.

“Yet the players weren’t going to accept that and they went out and grabbed the game by the horns."

West Brom Coach Calls For A Final Push
12th May 2009

Mark Venus hopes Albion will use the 'magic' of six potential Premier League derbies as part of their fight for survival.

The Baggies assistant boss concedes Albion are relying on other results in their final two games of the campaign.

But he hopes that there will still be a place at the Premier League table for another West Midlands club, along with Villa, Blues and Wolves.

If Albion did produce another Great Escape it would be the first time all four clubs have been in the top flight since 1983/84, although their hopes were hit by Newcastle's 3-1 win against Middlesbrough last night.

"It would be magic for everyone if we stayed up and were able to play against Wolves and Birmingham," said Venus.

"And if it did happen I honestly believe we'd be a better club for it next season.

"We've learned a lot this season and we now have two very difficult teams -an in-form Blackburn side and impregnable Liverpool team.

"We're still there, we're still fighting and shouting.

Mowbray In Celtic Talks
3rd June 2009

Sky Sources understand Tony Mowbray is in talks with Celtic about becoming the new manager of the SPL club.

The Hoops are in the market for a new boss following Gordon Strachan's departure last month.

Burnley head coach Owen Coyle had been linked with the vacant role but the Premier League-bound coach has since played down the speculation.

West Bromwich Albion manager Mowbray has remained linked with the position at Parkhead and it is understood he is now holding discussions with the side.

Mowbray, whose Baggies side were relegated to the Championship last season, played for Celtic for four years.

Albion In Hunt For Espanyol Midfielder Jordi
3rd June 2009

Albion are monitoring Spanish midfielder Jordi Gómez.

The 24-year-old, who is registered to Espanyol, impressed during a season-long loan at Swansea City this season.

The play-maker scored 14 goals for the Championship side but it seems unlikely that the Welsh outfit will be able to afford the £2million his Spanish club are seeking.

Albion have not taken their pursuit any further at this stage but are already making contingency plans in the event of any of their squad leaving and have identified Gómez as a potential target.

Albion maintained all along that they do not have to sell any of their star players, although their resolve will be tested in the case of one or two this summer.

Certain squad members will be granted an exit if the price is right.

Derek McInnes: Barry Would Be Brilliant For Baggies
3rd June 2009

Former Albion skipper Derek McInnes has told the Baggies they should aim to sign Glasgow Rangers and former team-mate Barry Ferguson – despite his troublesome reputation.

The former Scotland captain was relieved of his duties after an all-night drinking session whilst on international duty and has been heavily linked with a move south of the border to the Black Country.

The pair played alongside each other during McInnes’ days at Rangers when the budding youngster, Ferguson, first broke onto the Ibrox scene under Dick Advocaat. Now, as Ferguson looks set to depart Glasgow after his breach of discipline, McInnes believes his former midfield partner would be a great attribute for the Baggies in the Championship next season.

“Barry was a young guy when I was at Rangers and I played alongside him when he made his debut,” the St. Johnson manager said.

“It probably wasn’t until Dick Advocaat came to the club that he got an extended run in the side but you could tell he had great ability.

“I know it’s not been the best year for Barry but he would be a fantastic signing for Albion, not least because of how they play.

“He’d fit in perfectly with Tony Mowbray’s playing style. He’s a leader and a winner.”

As Albion look to trim their squad down, Ferguson’s versatility and adaptability across the midfield is another attribute which would assist the Baggies next term.

“The good thing about Barry is that he does different jobs from midfield,” McInnes continued.

“The main thing is he can influence games wherever he plays.

“He’ll score you goals, he can dictate play if that’s where you want to play him.

“But I think he’s best as a deeper player, where he can make things happen.

“He’s the kind of player who will demand responsibility on the ball and want it all the time. Albion fans would take to him.

“I think he’d do a good job for them if he signed."

Celtic: West Brom Can Whistle For £2 Million
9th June 2009

Celtic have slapped down West Brom talk of a £2million compensation package for their targeted new manager, Tony Mowbray, dismissing it as an opening negotiation figure.

A club source quoted in the Sun today admitted the demand from the Coca Cola Championship club was genuine, but said that the SPL club would pay no more than £1.5million.

But Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace was adamant that his manager was worth every penny.

He said: "We inserted a compensation figure when Tony signed a new contract 16 months ago to ensure that the club would be suitably recompensed in the event of any other club seeking his services.

"Most people would regard it as a fair figure. It is non-negotiable because we don't want to lose our manager.

"Celtic have been made aware of the compensation figure and if they agree to pay this, only then will I speak to Tony. Until that happens, it is business as usual."

West Brom Skipper Set For Bolton Move
9th June 2009

Gary Megson is set to make a £2million bid for West Brom's wantaway Paul Robinson.

Bolton boss Megson wants to raid his former club Albion for Robinson, 30, and is preparing an offer this week.

Defender Robinson has told the Baggies he wants to leave following their relegation back to the Championship.

And £2m will allow Megson to take the ex-Watford fullback to the Reebok Stadium.

Aww no problem And me, devastated tbh, and Liverpool day win the title so it was kinda horrible both ways But we'll be straight back up next season I hope [yn] Nah he was only on loan from Arsenal and he's gone back now <3

Baggies Close In On Midfielder Deal
7th July 2009

West Brom are being tipped make an official bid for Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson, who could leave Ibrox for just £1million.


The Baggies have been linked with the Scotland international for some time but are now expected to step up their attempts to sign him with 'Gers prepared to let the experienced star leave for just £1million.

Former West Brom favourite and current St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes, who was linked with the Albion job before Roberto Di Matteo was appointed, has advised Ferguson to make the move to the Hawthorns.

"If Barry asked me about the club I'd have nothing but good things to say about it," McInnes told The Birmingham Post.

"Barry is in a fortunate position and ultimately he will be the one who makes any decision over his career. But West Brom would be a great move for him. They have fantastic facilities, a great support and everything there is geared towards Premier League football."

Baggies Set To Finalise £2 million Cox Deal
7th July 2009

Albion hope to finalise the £2 million transfer of Simon Cox during the next 24 hours.

The Swindon striker underwent part of his medical yesterday before meeting head coach Roberto Di Matteo and being given a tour of the club’s training facilities.

He is due to return today to undergo further examinations, with a view to concluding personal terms.

If all goes to plan he could sign later today or sometime tomorrow.

The Baggies made the move for the Reading-born striker before they appointed Di Matteo to ensure they made the first pitch for him before July 1, when the transfer window re-opened.

But Cox will come with the Italian’s blessing following his 32-goal haul last season.

Albion are also hoping to hold further talks with Jonathan Greening over extending his stay at the club, despite interest from Fulham.

One player who is unlikely to figure in Albion’s plans is Frenchman Kevin Constant.

The Chateauroux midfielder’s agent said Albion were keen to sign the player but I understand those comments are wide of the mark.

There seems to be no interest in the player at this stage.

Albion are also waiting to see whether Bolton Wanderers will return with a renewed offer for left-back Paul Robinson.

The defender is desperate to leave Albion but Bolton have been unable to match the Baggies’ valuation.

Miller Targets Newcastle Game On Comeback From Injury
7th July 2009

Ishmael Miller is aiming to make his long-awaited comeback from injury in time for West Brom's opening fixture of the Coca-Cola Championship season against Newcastle.

The 22-year-old striker damaged a cruciate ligament in his right leg during a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth in December.

But the former Manchester City striker has now returned to full training and looks set to be match fit for the start of the new campaign.

"Basically I am training but I`m taking it easy at the same time and I`m making sure when August 8 comes I am back and ready to play a 90-minute game," he told the club`s official website.

"I trained on Friday possession-wise and passing-wise and we had a game at the end, which I dropped out of.

"I can do everything else and I am going on tour to Slovenia. I should be fully fit for the start of the season."

Parkin: Baggies Will Set Benchmark
7th July 2009

Preston striker Jon Parkin believes West Brom will be the team to beat in this season's Coca-Cola Championship promotion race.

The Baggies won the division in 2007-08 but finished bottom of the Barclays Premier League last term to make a swift return to the second tier of English football.

Roberto di Matteo has taken over from Tony Mowbray and Parkin, whose side reached the play-off semi-finals last season, said: "I think West Brom have got to be the favourites this season. Every year they are in this division they seem to be the team to beat and I don`t think this season will be any different."

He added: "They've got a lot of quality players and, while they struggled at times in the Premier League, they are very good at this level."

Baggies Seal Jara £1.4 million Switch
26th August 2009

Albion have finally secured the services of Chilean international defender, Gonzalo Jara, after the 23-year-old passed his medical and signed a three-year contract, plus a further year in the club’s favour.

The Baggies looked set to sign the versatile player at the start of the month however pulled the deal at the last minute after other targets became available. Now though, with Albion’s coffers boosted by Jonathan Greening’s exit to Fulham, Jara has completed a £1.4 million deal to The Hawthorns.

The former Colo Colo man can play anywhere across the back-four and also a defensive minded midfielder. Jara has captained his country and looks set to feature at the 2010 World Cup after helping his country to within touching distance of qualification.

“Gonzalo is an exciting, quick, technical and aggressive player,” said Roberto Di Matteo.

"He's a Chile international and very versatile, which will give me good options.

"He's still young and has a strong desire to achieve.

"Gonzalo wants to go to that next level and prove himself in Europe."

The 5ft. 10 defender, who celebrates his 24th birthday next week, will wear the No.36 shirt.

Greening Seals Loan Move To Fulham
26th August 2009

Fulham's long chase of former Boro star Jonathan Greening has ended in success after the West Brom midfielder agreed a season-long loan switch to Craven Cottage.

It is anticipated that the 30-year-old former York City, Manchester United and Middlesbrough star will seal a permanent move to the Cottagers next summer.

Greening has spent the last five seasons at The Hawthorns, featuring in over 200 first-team matches for the Baggies.

Roberto Di Matteo: "Jonno has been a big player for this club and, as you well know, we made every effort to keep him.

"But eventually we felt the deal on the table was a very good deal for us and we decided to let him go. We wish him good luck as he's been a great servant for this club.

"Since I've worked here, he's been very professional and I wish him all the best in the Premier League."

Bednar Set For Cup Run Out
26th August 2009

Robert Koren believes Roman Bednar should be welcomed back into the Albion fold and says his goals can help the Baggies retain their fine start to the season.

Bednar is set to return to the team after serving his three-month drugs ban and could even play a part against Rotherham in the Carling Cup tonight.

The Czech international, a £2.5 million signing from Hearts two years ago, scored only six league goals last year in the top flight.

But at Championship level he has proved to be deadly in front of goal having rattled in 17 goals in just 22 starts to help Albion clinch the title.

“We all know what Roman will do on the field and that’s the most important thing,” said Koren.

“What happens in his private life is his business.

“Two years ago we had a lot of problems when Kevin Phillips and other strikers were injured.

“Roman stepped up and did really well for us and scored a lot of goals.

“He scored a couple of goals last year too, so we know he can find the back of the net.

“Hopefully he can put his mind together and be focused and concentrated on the field and, of course, the rest of the team need to help him to do well in training.

“After that, hopefully, he will get a chance to play and score goals.

Koren says the club’s ten-point haul from four league games has set them up nicely for a promotion push.

“We all knew it was really important to start the season well,” he said.

“We got the points that we wanted, which is really good for our confidence, but we need to be concentrated on every game.

“It’s a long season and there are still 42 games so there is nothing done yet.

“The league has just started so we need to be concentrated and focused on the next games and show that at the end of the season we will have enough points to go back up.”

Koren says smiles are back on faces after Albion’s relegation from the top flight and loss of manager Tony Mowbray.

“Our team has changed quite a lot compared to last year,” he said.

“Of course last year was a big disappointment for us but we said that we need to stick together and we are trying to do that in training.

“We have put the disappointment from last season behind us.”

Albion Turn Attention To Tamas
26th August 2009

Roberto Di Matteo is expecting a low-key end to the transfer window confirming he is satisfied with his Albion squad.

The Baggies are still expected to move out peripheral squad players, with Borja Valero and Abdoulaye Meite set to leave if any potential suitors can be found.

Albion hope to bring in a centre-half before the end of the August transfer window but no more incomings are expected.

The club are still being linked with Romanian centre-half Gabriel Tamas, although that deal will throw up certain complications.

Albion want to sign Tamas on loan but that will require paying a fee to his parent club Auxerre, who would then effectively have to settle-up with Dinamo Bucharest to terminate his current loan deal.

Di Matteo refused to comment on Tamas but confirmed he was expecting little business over the coming week.

“We have sold a couple of players and we’re still in a good position,” he said.

“New players still have to come into the side – Simon Cox, Reuben Reid, Jerome Thomas and Gonzalo Jara have not featured or barely featured.

“James Morrison hasn’t featured in the team yet, nor has Ishmael Miller. Considering these players haven’t featured, we’re not in a bad position.

“We don’t have to sell. We only sold (Jonathan Greening) because it was the right deal for us.

“We won’t sell any more players who we don’t wish to sell.”

Speaking about Tamas, he added: “I have no news on him. We’ve been linked with a lot of players over the summer.

“I don’t think we’ll be seeing too many more.

“It’s getting quieter, our team is already competitive and maybe we need to get players out to get one more in.”

Di Matteo is satisfied he is well stocked in midfield and attack, not least following Roman Bednar’s return to the first-team fold.

Double Injury Blow For Baggies
26th August 2009

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo will be without the services of Robert Koren and Chris Brunt for the Cup clash with Rotherham.

The Baggies take on the Millers in the Carling Cup second round tie but will have to do without both Koren and Brunt as they are out with calf injuries.

Joe Mattock is expected to be fit after recovering from a blow at the weekend but Filipe Teixeira and Jerome Thomas will also miss out. Di Matteo is looking for an extended run in the competition and wants to be in Saturday's third round draw.

He told the Birmingham Post: "We will be very professional.

"The beauty of the cup is that the smaller teams can beat bigger teams. If everyone does their jobs hopefully we can win the game. I've had a few good runs in the cup and it'll be nice to progress.

"The two cup runs almost cost Burnley last year because they were struggling come April but equally it would have given them a buzz playing in a semi-final."