Club News

ALBION XI: "How I'd love to see this team line up..."

Who would make your favourite all-time Albion XI?

WELCOME back to our regular new Thursday feature - where you, Baggies supporters, take the spotlight each week to name your favourite all-time Albion XI.    

Last week's launch, which saw Blind Dave Heeley select his Baggies dream team, sparked a host of debate on the club's social media channels and we've had plenty of fans get in touch keen to declare their own favourite Albion line-up from down the years.

One of those to get involved via Twitter was a Baggies supporter with a very recognisable surname.

So without any further ado, step forward and take centre stage, Mr Astle...  



Name: Garry Astle
Age: 23
From: Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire (currently travelling around Asia)
Interesting fact: My father's uncle was The King himself - Jeff Astle. Unfortunately my own footballing career hasn't fared so well, but I'm a pretty handy winger and currently unattached professionally if you're reading Tony... 

"I'm going for a classic 4-4-2 formation. The simplest things are often the most effective! Some of the players may be slightly out of position but the sheer talent, especially in the attacking third, should more than make up for it.
"I'm not too defensively minded, as you can probably tell from my choices, but one thing is for sure is this team would entertain The Hawthorns!
"Picking 11 is actually really difficult! Obviously I'm not old enough to have seen some of the glory days and legends in action, but my father has told me about them...at length ha, ha. I've also seen many, many videos.
"In the end I've gone for a real mix of past and present. How I'd love to see this team line up..."

Goalkeeper
Russell Hoult - Close-run thing between Hoult and Foster. Houlty kept 24 league clean sheets on our way to promotion to the Premier League. What an effort! 

Defenders

Steven Reid (RB) - What he lacked in pace, he more than made up for in tenacity and strength. A real blood and thunder player. You know when you've been tackled by Reidy.
Jonas Olsson (CB) - He's committed and a natural leader. A willing wind-up merchant too, just ask Diego Costa.
Darren Moore (CB) - Big Dave is a fans' favourite. I can't leave him out.
Neil Clement (LB) - Versatile, tough as nails and those free-kicks will always come in handy.

Midfielders

Laurie Cunningham (RM): Electric, dazzling, tricky. In many ways a footballer way ahead of the time he played in. There's also not many players Albion have sold to Real Madrid!
James Morrison (CM): A delightful player to watch. Agile, refined and intelligent. He would be providing the attackers in this team with assists all day long.
Claudio Yacob (CM): The complete opposite to Mozza. Tough, uncompromising and destructive. You need someone like Yacob in a side to do the dirty work.
Tony Brown (LM): Most league appearances. Most league goals. Club legend! Can't be left out.

Forwards

Jeff Astle: Needs no explanation. The King.
Cyrille RegisDynamic and absolutely devastating in front of goal. What a partnership he would have made with Astle.

Think your dream team is better? Would you go with a different combination up front? Tinker with the defence?

Stay tuned for the favourite Albion XI of another Baggies supporter next week, it could be yours...

Come On You Baggies!