Match Day West Brom v Bournemouth, Saturday 12th August 15:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

This summer has gone far too well. On the back of a successful last season, we worried about losing some players. So far we've kept everyone. We were worried about whether Howe would finally address our defensive issues, he went and spent 30m on a proven keeper and defender who can slot immediately in. Whilst still not the most balanced squad ever, it's unquestionably stronger than last season. And there's Defoe back in the red and black stripes to bookend his career - his second debut should be a nice moment.

Added to the stadium and everything else going on - supporter morale is absolutely through the ceiling right now.

So West Brom away looks perfect to issue a firm reality check! This is Bournemouth, it can only go tits up from here. Tony Pulis has been seen at most of our pre-season friendlies, he lives locally after all. He'll have a plan for us. Although I'm not sure if he'll have gained much useful scouting knowledge from those friendlies with the random sides we've picked. Only our last friendly v Napoli was something almost recognisable as a starting 11, which drew the game.

I'd absolutely take a point to start the season solidly if you offered me that now. Looking forward to going up, it's a decent away day to start the season with. Football is back!

 

[HtfcWArrior]

West Brom 0-2 Bournemouth

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Enjoy over 70% possession, lose to a set piece header, standard Bournemouth

In fairness it never really clicked today, and I don't think West Brom were overly worried at too many points. Plenty of huff and puff but little penetration...

Just so fucking frustrating to concede the goal we did, when you know exactly what the script is amd what WBA want to do. But hey, it was enough to turn us over today.

We'll need to do much better than that, at both front and back.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Brilliant to see / bump into championship title winning captain Tommy Elphick in the away end today, in the bar at half time! Wouldn't mind him out on the pitch tbh.

 

[HtfcWArrior]

I met David Wagner and his assistant christoph bühler in a burger restaurant near lindley

 

[HtfcWArrior]

That was last monday

 

[HtfcWArrior]

I'm not even joking he was gobbling up a chicken burger I nearly shit myself when I saw him