Hi Chris, hope you're having a good week! While we all agree the result against Sunderland was great, even more encouraging was the atmosphere. What do you think are the chances of a revival of the Bomber Squad to take the temperature up a notch or two?
by P.K.2/27/2013 12:00:32 PM
Dom, That's the question we all want answer to. Sadly it's out of Albion's hands. Down to Chelsea (and whoever their boss is) this summer
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:00:54 PM
Are we going to get into Europe Chris or what?
by Sion2/27/2013 12:01:20 PM
PK, I thought atmosphere was good. Anything to raise the roof, must be considered a positive
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:01:41 PM
Hi Chris any players in line fore renewed / improved contracts?
by cjbaggies2/27/2013 12:01:55 PM
Hi Chris Firstly well done, I finished reading your book recently and enjoyed it greatly however I wish it had been a little more “controversial”. My question to you is that it appears to have all gone rather quiet regarding any possible redevelopment of the West stand. Have Albion ditched the idea or will we be hearing an announcement shortly.
by Baggyjon2/27/2013 12:03:00 PM
Sion, Albion need to effectively do in the final 1/3 of the season what they did in the opening 1/3. If so then they stand a chance, although they could do with a favourable FA Cup outcome - preferably two top five clubs competing in final so that 6th place gets the EL slot. That's before you take into account the remaining English clubs in the EL, all of whom might be able to help Albion's cause
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:03:04 PM
Cjbaggies, suspect the two most pressing ones are McAuley and Long. MCauley obviously deserves rewarding for his performances and is only contracted for another 15 months or so. Long is also under contract until summer 2014, with an option (not a straightforward option, but a fairly complex one) for an extra year. Both need addressing this summer.
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:05:01 PM
So some of you want to discuss non football related issues... here's a couple...
by Birmingham Mail2/27/2013 12:05:49 PM
Chris - who does the best half-time food at the grounds?
by The Van Man2/27/2013 12:05:50 PM
Raising the roof is something that's required in the Halfords, surely?
by Sundog2/27/2013 12:05:55 PM
Chris what was the last book you read and how good was it out of 10?
by Richard and Judy2/27/2013 12:06:09 PM
baggyjon, thanks for kind comments. Problem with 'controversial' is that it's not always the truth - there was always a lot of innuendo floating around over course of time which wasn't true. As for stand redevelopment, club have yet to move things on. Everything IS in place for summer redevelopment but the nagging concerns is that Albion aren't selling out. They (the club) looked back at attendances over the last 40-50 years to examine trends. There were occasional 40,000+ when MU visited but also sub 20k for low-key games (this is during the 'successful periods') so there is a feeling that redeveloping beyond 30k might be unnecessary. With that in mind Albion aren't yet willing to commit to West Stand until they've sourced information about the Woodman corner - which is the other option (albeit not yet established as to whether it's financially viable)
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:08:17 PM
The Van Man, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:08:40 PM
Sundog, That's the plan...
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:08:49 PM
On a 'non football' related issue, Have Wolves given up following the Albion blueprint?
by TorqBaggie2/27/2013 12:09:31 PM
Richard and Judy, The Secret Footballer. 8 out of 10. Or, if this is for Observer purposes, I give it a rating of 'excellent'...2 out of 10
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:09:36 PM
Torqbaggie, I can't comment specifically on Wolves' policies. I suspect their only intention right now is being a Championship club for 2013/14.
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:10:16 PM
Afternoon Chris, have you spoken to George Thorne since his injury? He must be devastated that after so long waiting for his chance he took it with both hands only to get injured. And do you think his injury could pave the way for Valero to be recalled from loan?
by Howard the Duck2/27/2013 12:10:38 PM
Howard the Duck, I've not spoken to George Thorne as he's recently undergone op and letting him 'get on with it' as it were. But I've spoken to coaches/team-mates who have spoken about his disappointment. As for Borja, I'm afraid he is no longer an Albion player...
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:11:57 PM
I can see there are a lots of you watching, stop being shy...
by Birmingham Mail2/27/2013 12:15:09 PM
Do you think the baggie fans have got the odemwingie booing out of their system now?
by Jeygo2/27/2013 12:15:21 PM
Jeygo, A part of me hopes so - but it's down to individual choice. I'm not in a position or place to dictate how people react to a player. Personally I think last weekend was the 'next stage' of his reintegration (for want of a better word). Next stage for him is trying to win over those he upset, which will be easier said than done.
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:17:05 PM
From your vantage point at the ground, did you hear the boos 'ringing out' as incorrectly described on match of the Day when Odemwingie came on. I thought the reception was fairly mixed!
by TorqBaggie2/27/2013 12:17:39 PM
Hi Chris, Steve Clarke has stated we could lose up to six players in the summer, who do you think that the six are? Also ,how much do you believe the Yacob - Man Utd rumour? (how much would he cost them?)
by Paignton Baggie2/27/2013 12:17:49 PM
Torqbaggie, I'm with Match of The Day - all I could hear from my vantage point (just below gantry) were boos. Same for many of my colleagues. However the reaction when team was read out pre-game was more mixed. Perhaps it's down to how sound travels but, from where we were, it was very loud booing as Odemwingie came on
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:19:31 PM
With Odemwingie and Fortune looking on the way out and doubts over Lukaku and Rosenberg it could be an interesting summer of incoming forwards. Any thoughts on who we might be after ? I thought Di Santo from Wigan on a bosman might be an option as Clarke knows him from his Chelsea days.
by Scott2/27/2013 12:19:31 PM
Paignton Baggie, he didn't say it would be six, but UP TO six. Three are obvious in respect of JT and MAF being out of contract. PO is likely to go and Tamas, Gonzalo Jara Reyes are also likely to move on. Popov and Lukaku remain uncertain too, although I suspect GP will sign. Ignore that Yacob to MU rumour - it has simply been posted by a website looking for hits during a quiet time of year. It will be a major surprise if clubs aren't watching Albion's players but there is nothing to see or worry about on February 27
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:21:56 PM
Any idea whether Dean Lewington might be on the radar this summer?
by The Van2/27/2013 12:22:10 PM
Hiya Chris. Simple question - why in God's Holy name is Jerome Thomas not getting into the squad as happened against Sunderland??!!?
by Bradley's Screamer2/27/2013 12:22:42 PM
Scott, Interesting call. But, yes, Bosmans, loans and the odd 'transfer fee' deal will continue to be Albion's way forward unless they sell a big hitter this summer
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:23:17 PM
The Van, I can't imagine Lewington being on the agenda
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:23:30 PM
Chris do you think some of the booing was for Clarke taking off Lukaku?
by cjbaggies2/27/2013 12:23:48 PM
Do the Club prefer having local rivals in the same league or are they looking forward to increased revenue as being potentially the only local club in the Premier next season
by TorqBaggie2/27/2013 12:24:00 PM
Bradley's Screamer, he wasn't in the final 18 simply as the odd man out. Personally, in my view, he was a better option to Rosenberg, but that was the manager's choice.
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:24:41 PM
cjbaggies, No as Lukaku was applauded off. I'd be staggered if anyone would boo the removal of a player 2 minutes before end of the game
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:25:49 PM
Torqbaggie, it's a hard one to call. The commercial advantages of being the only PL club in the area has some benefit. Albion would be the ONLY West Midlands' club. Great kudos for Albion in terms of attracting commercial or sponsorship revenue. And I'm not sure they'd lose much in terms of revenue from attendances. They'd get 26,000 for visit of Wolves/Villa...maybe 24,000 for the visit of, say, a club who comes up. Not a major loss. If anything - though nobody at Albion would admit it - the club can only benefit from a commercial point of view from being only PL side.
by Chris Lepkowski2/27/2013 12:28:13 PM
That's all we have got time for this week. Thanks for joining us and for all your questions.
by Birmingham Mail2/27/2013 12:28:59 PM
Many thanks for all the questions. Safe trip to London for those travelling down this weekend
Rail operator Virgin Trains has been asked to continue running the troubled West Coast Main Line for another few months, the Government said today.
Read
