Posts Tagged ‘newcastle’

Promotion in our own hands but still possible for 21 other Championship teams.

With all the talk of promotion being in our own hands, people are still missing how close this division still is. With just 10 games left for most teams, eleven for a few, there is still 21 other clubs that could overall the Albion and clinch promotion. Probably a very long shot and i am sure most bookies would offer silly odds on Scunthorpe gaining promotion, however, technically they can still leap frog the Albion.

The Baggies need 25 points to secure promotion, thats 8 wins and a draw, of course this goes down if Notts Forest lose or draw any of their remaining ten fixtures. Forest cannot seem to get a result away from home anymore, the last away win being ironically their 3 – 1 destruction of the Albion some 6 away games back.

Should forest lose just 1 of their remaining 5 away games and the Albion beat Swansea this week, Albion will need just 6 wins and a draw to guarantee premiership football next season.

There are all sorts of twists and turns still to come as the season comes to it’s crescendo, however, the Albion have probably got the harder of the run ins with games at Swansea, Reading, Watford, Doncaster and Crystal Palace to come and home games to play versus Preston, Coventry, Leicester, Middlesborough and Barnsley.

Forest have the following away games, Barnsley, Newcastle, Bristol City, Blackpool and Scunthorpe. Their home games are Peterborough, Crystal Palace, Cardiff, Ipswich, Plymouth.

The 3rd team in the race, Swansea have a run in with games at QPR, Cardiff, Blackpool, Bristol City and Sheffield United. Their home games are of course Albion tommorrow night, followed by Ipswich, Scunthorpe, Barnsley and Doncaster.

Looking at just the 3 most likely teams for the 2nd promotion spot it is inevitable that there will be some twists and turns, that the Albion are not certainty’s for the 2nd spot, however, it seems pretty certain that Newcastle will be promoted before the last day looms, they need just 7 victories from 11 games.

Will the battle be won on the final day of the season? Quite possibly, however, the Albion players seem to be up for the battle and are issuing their war crys already. Robert Koren today said:

“There are still ten games until the end of the season and we need to focus on ourselves.

“We have everything in our hands and we cannot look too much at what Nottingham Forest or anyone else are doing.

“We need to get as many points as possible from these ten games.

“We are full of confidence and we feel we are good enough to go up.

“But we need to show that week in, week out.”

With Forest suffering away day jitters and Albion on a roll, by this time next week the picture may well look much rosier for the Albion. If stats are anything to go by, tommorrows game should be an easy victory for the Baggies as Albion are the Championships top scorers on 71 goals and Swansea the lowest on just 31, what a shame it does not work like that.

Esprit UK Sponsor Albion Shirts Again

Albion have clinched a 2nd deal with Esprit UK to have their logo on the Albion shirts for a 2nd time during the Albion Blackpool game tommorrow.

The Local firm who are owned by life long Baggies fans appeared on Albion shirts for the televised victory over Newcastle in the FA Cup.

Esprit UK, the 4th of the single shirt sponsors are the first to take a non televised game and also the first to take the option twice, others that have sponsored the shirts are Blue Square, Victor Chandler and Sbobet.

News from the Hawthorns is that they have now a shirt sponsor for every home game of the season remaining, so there is very limited opportunity to get sponsorship in this way now, short of away games and dare we say it – play off games should the club not win automatic promotion.

Albion Support Chile Earthquake Appeal

West Bromwich Albion are again jumping to support of another disaster with their shirt sponsorship deals. The home game tommorrow against the Owls will see the Baggies players sporting the “Help Chile” loga along with the British Red Cross website address. A very likely scenario it was too, especially when you remeber that the Albion have 1 Chilean player on their books in the name of Gonzalo Jara who was recuperating from injury back jome in Chile when the quake struck.

The Albion are urging fans to also make donations via the Red Cross site.

Jara, injured and out for the season with a broken metatarsal, was in Santiago when the massive earthquake, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, struck his homeland nine days ago. He joined the Baggies from Chilean club Colo Colo last August, when the quake struck he had to evacuate his wife and children from their flat to a nearby park.

Albion are now throwing their weight behind the work of the British Red Cross, which is working hand in hand with the Chilean Red Cross to provide relief to the disaster-struck country.

Having successfully raised awareness of, and funds for, the DEC’S Haiti Appeal by adding supportive logos to the players’ shirts at Newcastle in January, Albion have now donated the same advertising space to the Chilean aid effort.

All 18 shirts used for tommorows match will be auctioned of by the club on their website, with all proceeds going, at Jara’s request, directly to Talcahuano, where the military have been called in to help stricken locals.

Jara has also played his part in helping his fellow countrymen by appearing on a 24-hour fundraising Telethon on national TV in Chile.

“When we heard about the earthquake, we were greatly concerned about the well being of Gonzalo and his family and were relieved to hear they are safe,” said Albion Chairman Jeremy Peace.

“The fact one of our own players is at the scene of the earthquake and that his close family has been affected by it has brought this tragedy closer to home – and we wanted to play our part in raising funds for the aid effort.

“We have again decided to utilise the flexible nature of our shirt sponsorship, which we hope will encourage people to support the work of the Red Cross in the region.

“Gonzalo has also asked the Club to pledge any funds raised to the relief work being undertaken in his home city of Talcahuano, which we are only too happy to do.”

Caroline Leighton, Red Cross operations director for Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, said: “We are grateful to West Bromwich Albion for highlighting our appeal as help is still desperately needed in Chile.

“We have already released £50,000 from our Disaster Fund to help with the initial response, but more will be needed as the true extent of the disaster becomes clear.

“Just £30 could buy hygiene kits for ten people and £10 could buy five jerry cans for storing and carrying water.

“Donations of any amount will make a difference so thanks, in advance, to the supporters for their help.”

Albion raised £25,000 for the DEC Haiti Appeal via a similar shirt auction and Club donation in January.

The Red Cross is assisting the people of Chile with search and rescue and medical assistance plus basic amenities like water, sanitation and shelter – but the needs are great.

The Chilean Red Cross is working on the ground in partnership with emergency services, carrying out search and rescue operations and damage assessments, and giving medical assistance where necessary.

To make a donation visit: redcross.org.uk, call 0845 054 7201 or send a cheque, made payable to the British Red Cross, to: Chile Earthquake Appeal, British Red Cross, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL.

Do Newcastle Want Koumas Just To Spite The Baggies?

Jason Koumas is apparently subject of a battle between at least Albion and Newcastle for his loan services. Albion have been working very hard to bring in some loan cover and it has been heavily catalogued that Jason Koumas was top of the list. Now it seems that just as the day arrives that would be perfect for season end loans and the Albion are likely to try to finalise a deal, Newcastle suddenly appear trying to gazump them.

Could they simply be after Koumas to save him from going to the Albion? Do they really need his services? With Koumas in the ranks, the Albion could easily expect to finish the run in on great form, are Newcastle scared that this would be enough to land Albion the title?

The Baggies seem to have struggled up to now to get anywhere with premiership clubs in the race to bolster an injury riddled team. It is looking more and more unlikely that the Albion will secure any loan player services in time for the trip to Ashton Gate.

Koumas is certainly available, Latics boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed that they will listen to any offers.

Victor Moses was the last player that Newcastle and Albion fought to sign, they both lost out the, who will win this time? Does Koumas really want to make the move to either anyway? There have been no comments from him on either team, or even a loan move in general.

Defence is another section of the pitch that Albion are struggling in, perhaps the struggle for loan signings may head this direction now too. Giles Barnes is getting closer to full fitness and Jerome Thomas has just 2 games of suspension left, so midfield will hopefully be the least weaker position within a week.

In the opposite direction, Marcus Haber has gone out on loan to League One Exeter for an initial month’s loan.

The 21 yr old striker who signed from Vancouver Whitecaps last month, will most probably make his debut in the Grecians’ home game against Stockport on Saturday.

No team is Odds on for the Championship

With the title race still wide open there are some winning odds available on the eventual winners of the Championship.

On the Betfair exchange you can still get 2.6 on the Baggies with leaders Newcastle still on offer at 2.1 so if you think it is between these two teams you cannot go wrong by backing both. Fancy Forest’s chances of beating both the Albion and the Toon to the title? Well they are on offer at 8, so there is a massive return available for you there.

Newcastle are 1.02 and 1.03 respectively to manage a top 6 finish so those of you with a large fund available and looking for a return could do so with that market. Forest are almost evens to make the same top 6 finish too, so maybe your funds are worth placing there?

Promotion wise, Albion, Newcastle and Forest are 1.42, 1.3 and 2.58 with the 2 Welsh teams Cardiff and Swansea at 5.9 and 5.6.

If you are looking the other direction, you can always lay Newcastle in the title race at 2.12.

These odds are very fluid and trading opportunity’s will appear on and off as the days and weeks progress. Have you the nerve and the skill to trade these teams during the run in?

Sign up with Betfair to take advantage of these betting exchange odds and get your free £25 for signing up.

The trip to Cardiff also offers a few different bets, Cardiff are 2.92, Albion 2.62 anf 3.4 the draw is offered. You can get 10′s on an Albion single goal victory and 27′s on a 3 to 1 win, with west brom to win both halfs at 4.5.

Albion go top after 2 nil win

A Roman Bednar opener on 13 minutes and a Gianni Zuiverloon goal late on was enough to take the Albion to the top of the table after Derby beat Newcastle emphatically and Coventry just edged out Forest in the East – West Midlands Derby.

Scunthorpe ended up with ten men, however, they should have been playing with just 9 when Dorran’s was brought down by the last man.

The game was a scrappy affair for most of the 90 minutes and Scunthorpe could have easily got back in to it on many occasions.

A sour note on this great night was the sight of Robert Koren blanking Di Matteo when he offered his hand as Koren was subbed.

West Brom 4 Newcastle 2

First half goals by Olsson and a Dorrans penalty started the four two win for Albion, however, Newcastle made the best star to the 2nd half when striker Andy Carroll pulled a goal back on 62.

Things turned back Albions way when full-back Ryan Taylor was dismissed 19 minutes from time for tripping Jerome Thomas in the box.

Dorrans made no mistake from the spot this time bagging Albion’s third and 5 minutes later Thomas put the tie firmly beyond United’s reach with his first and Albion’s 4th.

Carroll pulled a consolation back by poking home from close range in the first minute of stoppage time.

The result see’s the Albion in the draw for the next round and able to concentrate on the league without the little needed problem of a replay.

Albion came out easy winners this afternoon and have certainly broken the home game hoodoo that they suffered with lately more so, but all season too. Hopefully now they will have the confidence to overall the Toon at the top of the table and go on to win the Championship.

Albion Newcastle FA Cup 2010 team line ups

This all important FA Cup match, the third game between Albion and Newcastle, the second Hawthorns meeting this season, see’s Albion sporting an unchanged side to the one that drew 2-2 at Newcastle in the Coca-Cola Championship on Monday.

There is one Baggies change on the bench where Shelton Martis comes in for Luke Moore, who does not make the squad.

Chris Hughton makes five changes to the United side that faced Albion five days ago.

Tim Krul, Ryan Taylor, Fabrice Pancrate, Andrew Carroll and Tamas Kadar come in, with Steve Harper and Shola Ameobi dropping to the bench, and Peter Lovenkrands, Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson left out altogether.

ALBION (4-5-1): Carson; Jara, Tamas, Olsson, Cech; Brunt, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Koren, Thomas; Bednar. Subs not used: Kiely (gk), Martis, Cox, Miller, Teixeira, Mattock, Zuiverloon.

NEWCASTLE (4-5-1): Krul; R Taylor, Coloccini, Kadar, Enrique; Pancrate, Nolan, Smith, Guthrie, Gutierez; Carroll. Subs not used: Harper (gk), Ameobi, LuaLua, Ranger, Tozer, Ferguson, Donaldson.

West Brom Newcastle FA Cup preview

As Roberto Di Matteo was happy with the way his team played Monday and the fact that they could have easily come away with all three points, it seems unlikely that he will make more than the odd change if any. Even the rift between Bednar and Di Matteo over the strikers early bath which saw Bednar pulling faces and looking far from happy, they seem to have got over that episode after Roman Bednar apologised.

So, could Albion be playing just 1 up front at home? Will we be back to a weak and poor performance today? Can the Albion make progress in another FA Cup that seems to be without many of the big guns as they did when reaching Wembley a couple of years ago under the same circumstances.

Both Albion and Newcastle are flying pretty high and expecting, hoping for Premiership football next season, will this have a bearing? Who will take less risks to ensure 100% effort is available for the promotion push? Which one of the two will be thinking they can win the cup as they are on top of their form? Which set of players want to win more?

One thing is for certain, both teams will be looking for a result today, neither wants a replay, a replay that would get in the way of promotion. Certainly if it was down to the fans, a day at Wembley and taking home the FA Cup would be as good as promotion for most, however, the respective chairmen would no doubt rather have promotion and an early exit from the cup for the obvious financial implications.

The Championship title-chasers shared a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park on Monday night, the Magpies are unbeaten in 14 consecutive matches in all competitions, but have won just once in their last five, while West Brom have claimed victory in just one of their last four home matches, losing two of those.

With this in mind can anyone predict which way the game will go? Yes Albion are poor at home, especially of late, however, the fact that they came so close on Monday must mean something. Perhaps they will realise that they can beat the Toon and the home hoodoo will be cast aside. This has to be the best scenario for the players to get the home form right, playing the same team 5 days later at home after visiting them and almost winning must give them the boost they need.

The game is unlikely to be a tight affair as both are going to be fighting for the result after 90 minutes, there is likely to be goals which gives for a great chance of some easy trading on Betfair where currently you will find the Albion at 2.36, Newcastle 3.25 and the draw at 3.55. So far today there is not a lot of money available on the market, however ample to turn a good profit if you are fast.

Sky Bet are not offering such good odds with the Albion at 5-4, Newcastle and the draw both being 9-4, however, you can get a free £10 bet there as a new customer.

Bet365 are offering 13-10 on the Albion with the draw 12 – 5 and Newcastle at a very short 2-1 so if you want to back the Albion outright they are the place to go especially as they have in play betting with up to £200 in bonuses free for new West Brom Blog visitors who open an account. They have no less than 31 markets on this game including a super bet – Bednar to score first in a West Brom 2 – 1 win is on offer at 40 – 1 or 75 – 1 if you go for a 2 – 2 draw with Bednar scoring the first.

Albion Newcastle FA Cup tie tickets latest

Albion are urging fans to arrive as early as possible for tomorrow’s cut price FA Cup clash with Newcastle at The Hawthorns (ko 3pm). The second game in 5 days between the clubs is expected to get a good crowd.

Although there is no shortage of tickets for the East Stand, Birmingham Road End and West Stand and the fact that tickets remain on general sale at the box office until 5pm this afternoon as well as between 9am and 3pm tomorrow if there is still availability, Albion are still issuing a cautionary warning.

Supporters are urged to leave plenty of time to buy a ticket, or collect pre-paid tickets from the East Stand box office, to ensure they get into the stadium in time for the start of the fourth-round tie.

Ticket prices in all areas have been reduced to £20 adults, £10 seniors/under-18s/students and £5 under-16s. Supporters are reminded there are no concession prices available in the West Stand.

WBA Newcastle FAC Ticket News

Albion take on Newcastle for the second time in 6 days this Saturday at 15.00, hopefully, the result will be different and the Baggies cup run will continue.

Tickets are now on general sale and available from the club ticket office at the Hawthorns.

Ticket prices for the Hawthorns clash have been reduced to £20 adults, £10 seniors/under-18s/students and £5 under-16s.

With the offers shown above it is expected to be a bumper crowd and fans are advised to buy their tickes as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Albion Newcastle report

Peter Lovenkrands dedicated the goal which keeps Newcastle on track for promotion to his late father after he capped an emotionally draining week.

The former Rangers striker was expected to miss Monday night’s clash with third-placed West Bromwich following his father’s death in Denmark. But he made a surprise return and scored the second equaliser – his fourth goal in a week – to earn a point.

Lovenkrands, who scored an FA Cup hat-trick against Plymouth last Wednesday, looked to the heavens and fought back the tears as he celebrated his third league goal of the season in the 54th minute.
He said: ‘It is a bit surreal. It is still emotional but I am just so pleased we got a point and I got a goal for my dad. It means a lot. I dedicated that goal to my father. It was a very difficult decision to play but my dad was a very big football fan and he would have wanted me to do this and I didn’t want to let him down. I felt I wanted to do it for him.’

Manager Chris Hughton, whose side remain six points ahead of Albion and three ahead of Nottingham Forest with a game in hand, said: ‘Lovenkrands deserves immense credit. We left the decision up to him. We are very much behind him and his family but he wanted to play and for him to get a goal – the equalising goal at that -shows great credit to him and also shows the spirit we have here.’

Roberto Di Matteo’s Albion side twice took the lead at St James’ Park, where Newcastle remain unbeaten this season, and they looked on the verge of their first victory there for more than 30 years until Lovenkrands’ second-half strike.

In a full-blooded and thoroughly entertaining scrap between two of the sides relegated last season, West Bromwich took the lead through Jonas Olsson after 14 minutes when he was allowed to touch home a cross from the excellent Graeme Dorrans past Steve Harper.

Danny Guthrie cancelled that out 11 minutes later, placing a delightful free-kick over Yousuff Mulumbu in Scott Carson’s wall after the Rwanda midfielder had brought down Shola Ameobi. But a mere 32 seconds into the second half Roman Bednar put the visitors back in front with another simple goal.

Fabricio Coloccini, the rock on whom Newcastle’s Championship charge has been based, was most at fault after he failed to deal with another cross from the lively Dorrans.

Bednar rose comfortably above Coloccini to head at Harper, who touched the first effort on to the bar with his legs, only for Bednar to nonchalantly nod the ball over the supine keeper.

Read more:at the Mail

Newcastle West Brom preview

This evening see’s the Baggies travelling the long road to the home of the Toon, the team topping the table and everyone’s favourite to return to the premiership at the first attempt. Table topping NUFC have slipped in recent weeks, however, still remain 2 points clear at the top with 2 games in hand over second placed Forest, with a 6 point buffer over third placed Albion but no games in hand.

Newcastle’s last league win was a few weeks back against arch rivals Middlesboro when they won two nil, however, they have won only one of their last 4 championship games. In all games they have won just 2 out of 6 and drawn the remainder. Albion on the other hand have won three of the last 6 drawn 1 and lost 2, the wins all coming away from home and both losses at the Hawthorns. The two lost games were very bad displays and they were not just losses, however, the Albion seemed to have stayed at home on both occasions.

The opening day of the season saw a goalless draw between the two teams who seemed to cancel each other out, although it was a very emotional day due to to the game being the first since the death of Sir Bobby Robson who was of course connected to both teams.

The Albion go in to tonight’s game with what must be a massive amount of good Karma after pledging support to the DEC appeal for the Haiti earthquake disaster, we were the 2nd behind only the official site to report on this. With any luck and a modicum of current trends the Albion should be heading home later tonight with all 3 points.

Sky Bet are offering 11/4 on an Albion victory, excellent odds when you consider that fortress Hawthorns has been exchanged for the travelling version. Albion are very capable of winning at any ground, much more so than at home so this needs to be taken in to account. You can get a £10 Free Matched Bet if you open a new account with Sky. They are also offering evens on a Toon win, with the draw at 12/5. Albion to win one nil with a single Bednar goal offers odds of 40 – 1 with Sky or you could choose Newcastle at 5-2 with a one goal handicap.

Betfair are offering a free £25 to new customers and at the time of writing there is £17528 available for Newcastle at 2.1 and £1879 available at 4.0 for an Albion win. The game will be “in Play” on Betfair too allowing you to have a dabble at trading on the game if you wish to.

Bet365 are offering 11/8 Newcastle, 9/4 the draw and 7/4 an Albion victory, however, they have up to £200 in free bets on offer so maybe a better option for a first time account holder.

Although the Albion are the championships top scorers Newcastle have the best defensive record, this will make for an interesting game, a game that can be watched live on Sky TV. Albion will be determined to put last Fridays defeat to Forest behind them and get back on track and in second spot again.

Albion will no doubt be fresher having a 10 day break, Newcastle played the FA Cup replay midweek after a Weekend game. Albion will likely be more up for this game and Newcastle will no doubt get complacent after the Albion’s previous game, with Albion’s away form added to this, there can easily be an away win, although the odds say differently.

Albion DEC Haiti support

ALBION will show support for the earthquake aid effort by wearing ‘DEC Haiti Appeal’ logos on their shirts during Monday’s top-of-the-table clash at Newcastle (ko 7.45pm).

The sponsorship will also feature details of DEC the Disasters Emergency Committee’s website address, www.dec.org.uk, where donations can be made.

Over 2.2million people live in the most affected areas in Port-au-Prince where thousands are feared dead, many more injured or buried under rubble – and the DEC urgently needs support.

Albion can support DEC’s aid work thanks to the match-by-match shirt sponsorship deals they are offering to businesses and organisations because of the lack of a permanent sponsor.

Deals with online betting companies Blue Square and Victor Chandler have been the only 2 deals so far, however, many more are due this season, raising around £10,000 a time.

Tomorrow’s St James’ Park clash on Sky Sports would have easily found a sponsor, however, in the wake of this week’s disaster, the Club felt it would be fitting to donate the advertising space on the front of their shirts to support the DEC’s effort.

Albion will again auction off the 18 shirts worn by the squad against Newcastle in aid of the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal, the club have also promised a donation too.

Quoting Jeremy Peace from the clubs website:

“Everyone at the Club has been saddened by the terrible tragedy unfolding in Haiti,” said Peace.

“We are hoping the fact our players will be wearing the appeal logo in front of a national TV audience will make even more people aware of how they can donate money to the aid effort.”

Donations to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal can be made online at www.dec.org.uk

To make a postal donation, make cheques payable to ‘DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal’ and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.

Donations can also be made at any high street bank, or at a Post Office, by quoting Freepay 1449.

Text ‘GIVE’ to 70077 to donate £5 to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal (£5 goes to the DEC. You pay £5 plus the standard network SMS rate).

The DEC launches and co-ordinates national fundraising appeals for public donations on behalf of its member agencies.

The DEC consists of: Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision.