[Albion] A thread of positive things about FH

[oldboyroy]

He has never complained about injuries, not once. It's frankly remarkable and he's made clear that's a choice he's making.

I think it's a huge testament to him. Any other manager and it's all you'd hear about. Then that's all the media would talk about and it becomes the narrative. He's owned it's his job to find solutions.

We've literally had no defenders at points this season. To not moan is incredible, especially with the pressure some fans have put him under. There's an easy get out, but he's not taken it.

I think it's a good message for the team too - no excuses. From the top we own our job and decisions.

I also think it's meant some portion of the fans have been much harsher on him than they should be. We all know there are injuries, but after certain matches a small segment of fans vilify him for playing a certain formation, or a player out of position, when there frankly isn't any other option. I've then asked the question of what they'd have done instead and there's deathly silence as a reply, followed by some other moan.

Injuries, forcing us to not have experience on the pitch, forcing us to play all our very young players, changing positions, not building partnerships etc. It's been our main issue this season.

But he's never once moaned. Imagine if we fans also tried to follow that example

Good lad.

This is a great summary. However we finish, we've been in with a shout all season despite the horrendous injury list. It does get mentioned occasionally about our injures and days lost when the likes of Ange blame Tottenham's injury list for their poor season.

 

[Flounce]

This is a great summary. However we finish, we've been in with a shout all season despite the horrendous injury list. It does get mentioned occasionally about our injures and days lost when the likes of Ange blame Tottenham's injury list for their poor season.

Would it be fair to suggest we have a deeper quality of squad than almost ant another side, albeit young and inexperienced hence coping better with a ridiculous number of injuries?

 

[oldboyroy]

Would it be fair to suggest we have a deeper quality of squad than almost ant another side, albeit young and inexperienced hence coping better with a ridiculous number of injuries?

Can't answer that 1 mate but time will tell. Can't say we've got a deeper quality squad than the likes of Liverpool Arsenal Chelsea and City but everyone else? Maybe?

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Correct.

Lallana was 2nd highest paid in the club, behind... Ansu Fati who was on double Lallana's wages

Gross was 3rd highest paid behind Lallana.

So our wage bill actually fell this season. That's right, all that money spent but our wage bill reduced.

Again, puts the "spending spee" and our actual squad quality into perspective.

Also one of the highest paid players on our wage bill this season is now Ferdi, who has barely tied his boots.

Is this in the public domain would be good to have a link if possible.
Quite interesting….

 

[chaileyjem]

Is this in the public domain would be good to have a link if possible.
Quite interesting….

Yes. This is just speculation about our wage bill. We won’t know for sure until the accounts are published for 24/25 in early 2026.

 

[chaileyjem]

Would it be fair to suggest we have a deeper quality of squad than almost ant another side, albeit young and inexperienced hence coping better with a ridiculous number of injuries?

What we do know is that we have the 2nd youngest starting 11 of any PL team this season.

 

[chaileyjem]

You are going on last seasons wage bill surely? I’d imagine the new additions have upped the wage bill for this season. We didn’t sell any big players last summer so Im guessing it has to be higher.

Yes. The wage bill comparisons are based on the last published accounts for 23/24. Very unlikely indeed though that that table of wage spenders has changed materially or that any club in the PL has reduced their wage bill - hence the point that Albion and Hurzeler have over performed v wage bill still correct. But true wage ££ accounts always lag.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Yes. This is just speculation about our wage bill. We won’t know for sure until the accounts are published for 24/25 in early 2026.

Thanks Chailey….