West Bromwich Albion FC – CaughtOffside

Leicester keeping tabs on goal-machine as Iheanacho replacement

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 10:43:40 +0000

Despite a home defeat against Leeds United at the weekend, Enzo Maresca’s Leicester City side are still flying high at the top of the Championship table.

Though they have Ipswich Town just three points behind them, the gap between the Foxes and Daniel Farke’s Leeds in third is a cavernous 11 points.

It would take a monumental drop off in form and results for Leicester to be caught, however, with so much of the season to go, any loss of confidence could absolutely be capitalised on.

One way to keep things fresh and players on their toes is to bring in others, and that could be something that Maresca is considering for the January transfer window.

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According to TeamTalk, Leicester are one of a handful of clubs – which includes Premier League outfits Burnley and Crystal Palace – to be keeping tabs on Villarreal hit-man, Ben Brereton Diaz.

It’s reported that the former Blackburn star hasn’t really settled at the Yellow Submarine since a summer switch, and the La Liga club would be willing to loan him in the new year in order that he’s able to pick up some significant game time.

With Leicester believed to want a replacement for Kelechi Iheanacho, a move for Brereton Diaz would appear to make perfect sense.

From the player’s perspective, helping to drive Leicester’s promotion charge would be an obvious attraction.

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Ex-Nottingham Forest and Coventry star Ronnie Rees passes away

Joe Dempsey — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 13:03:08 +0000

A number of English football clubs are in mourning today after the news that former Wales winger, Ronnie Rees, had died at the age of 79.

Rees’ professional career took in spells at Coventry City, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest, with three of his four former clubs paying tribute to him on social media.

Able to play on either wing, Rees, who was born in Ystradgynlais, won both the Third Division and Second Division titles whilst with the Sky Blues, for whom he ended up making more than 200 appearances.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Sky Blues and @Cymru winger Ronnie Rees.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

He will be sorely missed. ? pic.twitter.com/DzORRDiXFb

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) October 31, 2023

Capped by his national team in the 60s and 70s, Rees stayed in the Midlands and continued his footballing journey at the Baggies before a three year spell at Forest.

He finished his career back in his homeland with Swansea, a club he joined in 1972 for a record fee. Playing for them over 100 times, he cemented his legacy at the Swans before brief spells at both Haverfordwest and Merthyr Town.

Everyone at Swansea City is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Ronnie Rees at the age of 79.

He joined the Swans for a then-record fee in 1972 and went on to wear the Swans shirt 100 times over a three-and-a-half year spell.

Once a Jack, always a Jack ?? pic.twitter.com/zt0PVDtmHA

— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) October 31, 2023

After his playing days were over, he took on various roles including an administrative one at Cardiff City and as a car worker at Ford’s in Swansea.

At the age of 51 he suffered a life changing stroke which gradually took away his ability to walk and talk and led to him spending his later years in Hengoed Court Care Home.

We're desperately saddened to learn of the passing of former Albion winger, Ronnie Rees.

The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Ronnie's friends and family at this tragic time. ?? pic.twitter.com/5OenKIxz88

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) November 1, 2023

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38-year-old former Premier League defender gets first international call up

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 08:53:20 +0000

It’s not often that there’s a heartwarming story to be told in football circles, but for one former Premier League defender, all of his dreams appear to have come true at the ripe old age of 38.

At one stage in his long career, which began in 2003 at Luton Town and still isn’t over in 2023 at Cheltenham Town, Curtis Davies would almost certainly have had aspirations to play for the England national team.

Unfortunately for the former West Brom, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County centre-back, a call-up for the senior side never materialised, and three U21 caps were all that he had to show for his troubles.

The very last thing he could’ve expected was a call up in a season that’s expected to be one of his last in the game, but that’s exactly what’s happened.

It will be a proud moment for me to pull on the shirt of The Leone Stars and make my family in Sierra Leone proud but most of all my dad. He did everything in his power to give me the best chance to become a footballer, so I dedicate this all to him. ??

— ?????? ?????? (@TheCurtisDavies) October 9, 2023

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Davies announced that he will be playing for Sierra Leone, the country of his father’s birth, in their upcoming friendly matches.

He’s able to do so because of having never appeared for the Three Lions at senior level. A similar situation occurred with Ryan Giggs who represented England at schoolboy level before changing his allegiances to Wales.

Even if these next games are the sum total of his international career, it’s clear from Davies’ posts just how proud he is.

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EFL rule set to block Leeds player from featuring against West Brom

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 11:17:52 +0000

It never rains but it pours for Daniel Farke and Leeds United at present, with yet another obstacle placed in the manager’s way at the start of this 2023/24 Championship season.

Farke has had more than enough to deal with since he took over the reins at the club, not least striker Willy Gnonto effectively going on strike to try and force through a move to Premier League side, Everton.

A number of players have also left the club and there’s still time for more to go given that there’s over two weeks left of the current transfer window.

One player that is looking to ply his trade elsewhere is Leo Hjelde, with reliable journalist, Gianluca di Marzio, reporting that a switch to Salernitana is on the cards.

He might well have played his last game for the all whites, but that’s nothing to do with his transfer situation.

According to Yahoo, as the player suffered a concussion in Leeds’ training session on Tuesday, per English Football League protocols, he will be forced to sit out the match against West Bromwich Albion.

Given that their fixture the week after, and right on top of the end of the transfer window, is against table-topping Ipswich Town, Farke is highly unlikely to risk the player incase of injury and a move collapsing.

Truth be told, the German needs as many players on board that he can, but with Hjelde believed to be angling for the move, it’s senseless keeping an unhappy player.

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West Brom release heartfelt statement as club icon passes away at 86

Saikat Chatterjee — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 10:36:39 +0000

West Bromwich Albion winger Alec Jackson has passed away at the age of 86.

According to reports, the Baggies will hold a minute’s applause in his honour prior to their game against Swansea on Saturday.

The Championship outfit have released an official statement expressing their sadness at the passing of the former player as well.

“West Bromwich Albion are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Alec Jackson, aged 86.

“The Tipton-born winger enjoyed a decade at The Hawthorns from 1954 to 1964, scoring 52 goals in 208 appearances for the Baggies, before continuing his career at Birmingham City and later, Walsall.

“Albion send their heartfelt condolences to Alec’s wife June and sons Andrew and Neil, at this desperately sad time.”

The winger spent a decade at West Brom and he has played for clubs like Birmingham City and Walsall as well.

Meanwhile, the West Brom players will be wearing black armbands on Saturday as a mark of respect towards the 86-year-old.

Jackson was once West Brom’s youngest league goal scorer and he made over 200 appearances for the club during his time at the Hawthorns.

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Leeds United eyeing £7m move to sign West Brom flop

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:36:21 +0000

The real business for Daniel Farke and Leeds United begins this weekend, as the all whites take on Cardiff on Sunday to kick-off their 2023/24 Championship season.

Elland Road should be bouncing as the punters come flooding back to see what the German has to offer in terms of having a team with a defined style and an attacking threat.

The squad and starting XI are likely to look quite a bit different to the last time supporters saw them, with moves in and out taking place across the summer.

It was always going to be that way simply because of the fact the club had dropped down a division.

One player that could be lining up for the club is former West Ham star, Grady Diangana.

When he left the east Londoners a number of players were up in arms, including club captain, Mark Noble, who was quoted by BBC Sport at the time as tweeting:

‘As captain of this football club I’m gutted, angry and sad that Grady has left, great kid with a great future.’

Since his move from the Hammers to West Brom, however, he hasn’t captured the kind of form that he showed in east London and, as a result, the Express and Star report that Leeds are eyeing up a cut-price move for the player.

They apparently face competition for his services from Burnley, Leicester City and unnamed Saudi Pro League clubs, though if Farke can sell the player his vision, there’s every chance he could be turning out for the Yorkshire-based outfit in the upcoming campaign.

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Leeds United eyeing a move for West Bromwich midfielder

Mehdi Gokal — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:18:56 +0000

Leeds United are reportedly eyeing a potential move for West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby, according to renowned journalist Dean Jones.

The Yorkshire club is gearing up for another season in the Championship following their disappointing relegation.

Molumby, who contributed four goals and four assists in 47 appearances across all competitions, has emerged as a prime target for Leeds United. Carlton Palmer has tipped the club to sign him calling him a ‘fantastic signing’.

Jones expressed his belief that the Irish midfielder possesses the necessary skills to make an immediate impact in the Championship.

With Leeds United potentially parting ways with Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, and Tyler Adams, Molumby’s arrival could provide a significant boost to the squad.

40-year-old manager could bring midfielder with him to Leeds United

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:00:48 +0000

With a mass exodus of players expected at Leeds United across the summer, the new owners, 49ers Enterprises, are going to need their wits about them when it comes to making the right decisions for a new manager, sporting director and players.

Get it right, and the Yorkshire-based Championship outfit could be straight back up into the Premier League, but if not, it could be a long, hard season for everyone connected with the club.

To that end, if the new board go with one particular appointment, it could lead to them getting a midfielder into the bargain too.

Planet Sport cite reports that West Bromwich Albion coach, Carlos Corberan, is on the shortlist for the manager’s job at Elland Road.

It isn’t clear at this stage whether he’s the favourite to take a position last held by Sam Allardyce, as the outlet also note that Scott Parker and Daniel Farke are in the running.

Where Corberan may hold the advantage is his employment with the club as Marcelo Bielsa’s assistant.

He knows the club and how it works, and even if the new board expect some changes from the time he was last at Elland Road, Corberan’s prior knowledge of how things work generally at the club has to hold him in good stead.

Planet Sport also say that reports suggest Leeds are being linked with West Brom’s Jayson Molumby. If Corberan were successful with his application, the expectation might be that Molumby would soon follow suit.

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(Video) West Brom brutally mock Leeds United with announcement video

Matthew Smith — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:54:13 +0000

West Brom have brutally mocked Leeds United with their new contract announcement video for Carlos Corberan.

Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed to CaughtOffside via his Substack column that Corberan was a target for Leeds United after they sacked Jesse Marsch.

Corberan is doing an excellent job in turning around West Brom‘s season, and they’ve now announced he has signed a new contract, ending speculation that he will join Leeds.

West Brom took to Twitter to mock Leeds with a hilarious teaser video for Corberan’s new deal.

? pic.twitter.com/Z2NkdmwvU5

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 7, 2023

Exclusive: Why Leeds United sacked Jesse Marsch and one possible candidate to replace him

Mark Brus — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 06:18:34 +0000

Leeds United confirmed the sacking of Jesse Marsch yesterday and Fabrizio Romano has given exclusive insight into the club’s decision and what they might do next.

Writing in the Daily Briefing, his exclusive CaughtOffside column, Romano explained that although there weren’t any issues between Marsch and the Leeds players, the feeling inside Elland Road was that the American tactician was unable to turn things around for the team.

Leeds have had a dreadful season so far, with no wins in their last seven Premier League games, and only a slightly better goal difference than Everton keeping them out of the relegation zone for the moment.

Although Marsch helped the Yorkshire side stay up last season, it seems like this was the right time to make a change, and Romano says several candidates are in the frame to replace him.