Club News

ALBION XI: "It's been a really tough task to select this team"

Who would make your favourite all-time Albion XI?

IT is often said that football is a game of opinions, and Albion XI is certainly no different.

Everyone's No.1 website feature is certainly creating discussion as Baggies fans all over the world come together to select their favourite dream team from down the years.

Age will no doubt play a factor in the choices of Albion supporters when deciding who they most enjoyed watching tear down the wings, provide the muscle in midfield or find the back of the net at The Hawthorns.

But that's all part of the fun as we come together for good, honest debate across social media platforms and in the pubs, social clubs and coffee shops of this land.

Week five sees the turn of another supporter who got in touch via social media to share their favourite team - with three players making their Albion XI debuts. 

So, take it away Matt...



Name: Matt Marson
Age: 33
From: Tipton
Interesting fact: I'm still wondering how watching the 4-2 defeat versus Woking in the FA Cup as my first-ever game has resulted in a lifetime of supporting Albion?!

"Now the interesting bit.....Football seems to be all about formations these days, so I have chosen my players first and come up with the formation to best suit them.
"It turned out to be 3-4-2-1, and hopefully this will make sense when you see the team. 
"I wanted my team to be hard-working, tough to beat, but also have enough quality to play decent football and cause the opposition some problems as well. 
"It's been a really tough task to select this team, and I even know myself that I have left out some players who would normally walk into the team, but I wanted a well-balanced side that I thought represented my 25 years of watching Albion. So here goes..."

Goalkeeper
Russell Hoult - Really tough on Ben Foster because I think he is the better keeper, but Hoult gets the gloves for that record-breaking season.

Defenders

Gareth McAuley (RCB) - Best Bosman free transfer we will ever get! 
Darren Moore (CB) - A real leader and one of the most consistent defenders I have seen. Legend.
Jonny Evans (LCB) - A class above. Still can't believe we've signed him.

Midfielders

Zoltan Gera (RWB) - Had to get him in somewhere, and I think he could do a job at wing-back! Great in the air and technically brilliant.
Derek McInnes (CDM) - My captain all day long. I remember Gary Megson saying he had a heart like a bucket, he was spot on.
Darren Fletcher (CDM) - A cut above in today's team. Class in everything he does. 
Neil Clement (LWB) - Pushed all the way by Brunty but Clem gets the nod. You knew exactly what to expect, minimum 7/10 every week. 100% effort.


Richard Sneekes (AM) - The ideal man to break from midfield and always chipped in with a goal.
Jason Koumas (AM) - Probably the most naturally gifted player I have seen at the Hawthorns. Imagine the player he could have been...

Forwards
Bob Taylor (CF) - In this team Bob would have scored 30+ a season. He could do everything, he was the all-round striker we crave today.

Subs
Igor Balis - Just in case there is a shoot-out in the cup (obviously).
Larus Sigurdsson - Could have been him or Phil Gilchrist, that back three was immense!
James Morrison - Has been our best player for the last five years in my opinion.
Andy Hunt - Massively underrated!
Jonathan Greening - Quality in whatever position he was asked to play.

"So there it is. I hope you enjoy analysing my team 'Monday Night Football' style, I'm sure many of you will disagree with my selections.
"But in my time watching Albion we have been most successful when pragmatic, hard-working, well organised and hard to beat. 
"Good luck to whoever goes next."

YOU could be that very person! Comment on today's social media posts registering your interest and it could be YOU who reveals your favourite Albion XI on the club's official website next week.

You can find the feature's previous instalments from week one to four below.

Come on You Baggies!