Saturday 17th December 2005

Poor Albion slump at Pompey

Albion slump to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Pompey substitute Svetoslav Todorov scored the only goal of the game on 56 minutes following a mistake by Neil Clement. The defeat for Albion, watched by a crowd of 20,052, means the club remain in the bottom four.

Smoking banned at The Hawthorns

The club announce that smoking will be banned in all stands at The Hawthorns from the start of next season. In October, Albion announced they would be extending their non-smoking policy - currently in operation in the East Stand - to include the Halfords Lane Stand but due to pressure from the club's supporters the club has now decided on a total ban.

"Since we announced Halfords Lane would become a non-smoking stand from the start of next season, with a view to the entire stadium becoming a smoke-free zone, we have been inundated with supportive letters," said Albion chairman Jeremy Peace. "That is why we're now making The Hawthorns a smoke-free zone from next summer onwards."

"In recent years, we have monitored our supporters' attitude towards smoking and we believe this new policy reflects the wishes of the vast majority of our fan base. We also believe it will help make the stadium an even more family-friendly environment and is in keeping with the trend towards making public places non-smoking areas."

Dr John Middleton, Director of Public Health for Sandwell, welcomed the decision: "I am delighted the Baggies are leading the way to a smoke-free Sandwell. This move will enable packed houses at The Hawthorns to enjoy the clean air while cheering on the team."

Thursday 15th December 2005

Robson rebuffs Earnie request

Albion boss Bryan Robson confirms that he has turned down a transfer request from out of favour striker Rob Earnshaw. With Kanu and Diomansy Kamara set for African Nations Cup action early next year the Baggies' boss has insisted that the Welsh star still has a role to play at the club. "Earnie has handed in a transfer request and I've turned it down. He is part of my plans. All of my strikers have an important role to play this season."

Despite boasting an excellent goalscoring record Earnshaw has struggled to win a regular first team place under Robson and has recently been linked with both Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic.

Robson hopeful on Kanu and Kamara

Baggies' boss Bryan Robson reveals he is hoping that both Kanu and Diomansy Kamara will be given special dispensation to fly out late for the African Nations Cup which due to take place next month in Egypt. FIFA regulations state players involved in the tournament can be called up from Friday, January 6 - two weeks before the event kicks-off, but Robson is hopeful both players will be given permission from their respective football associations to play in Albion's FA Cup third-round tie with Reading on Saturday, January 7 and the Premiership trip to Wigan on Sunday, January 15.

"Both players are going to ask their respective countries if they can join up with them on January 16," Robson told the club's official website. Kanu's and Kamara's first game is on January 23, so they'll still have a week to prepare with their teams. I'm asking if they can leave after the Wigan game and I've asked the players to ask their FAs because they don't want to go before then. If the FAs come back to us we'll say we've always tried to be helpful as far as Kanu and Kamara are concerned when they've gone away with their countries in the past. We've never complained and we're just asking them to help us out because we've got a massive league game they could play in. They'll only miss out on a bit of preparation and training and won't miss any matches."

Championship sides in for Koumas?

Wolves, Crystal Palace and Leeds United are all linked with a move to sign Albion midfielder Jason Koumas. The Welsh star, currently on loan at Championship side Cardiff City, earlier this week claimed that he had no desire to return to The Hawthorns when his loan deal expires.

Newell dismisses Edwards move

Luton manager Mike Newell dismisses claims that his highly rated midfielder Carlos Edwards could be on his way out of Kenilworth Road during the January transfer-window. The 27-year-old Trinidadian has been strongly linked with a move to The Hawthorns but Newell is confident he will remain at Luton. "I'm not worried about losing Carlos in the window," said Newell. "We haven't had any contact from anyone about him, and I think we would have done so by now."

Wednesday 14th December 2005

Albion to miss out on Polish star?

Rumoured Albion target Jaroslaw Bieniuk joins Championship side Leeds United on a week's trial. The Amica Wronki defender spent pre-season on trial at The Hawthorns and has been strongly linked with a January move to the club.

Monday 12th December 2005 

Albion thrashed in derby clash

Albion's reserve team crash to a 4-0 home defeat against Aston Villa at Aggborough. Peter Whittingham gave Villa the lead in the 23rd minute and Sam Williams added a second just four minutes later before Luke Moore made it 3-0 with a 32nd minute penalty after Thomas Gaardsoe had brought down Williams in the box. The visitors should have made it 4-0 on 39 minutes when Gaardsoe conceded another penalty but luckily for Albion Eric Dejemba-Dejemba saw his spot-kick saved by Russell Hoult. Villa did finally make it four on 51 minutes when Williams hit his second goal of the night. A poor crowd of 321 were in attendance.

The only good news of the night came in the shape of Zoltan Gera who completed 45 minutes on his comeback from injury without reporting any ill-effects.

Koumas wants Cardiff deal

Albion midfielder Jason Koumas urges Cardiff City to turn his season-long loan deal at Ninian Park into a permanent one. Koumas, who is on loan from Albion until May has revealed he has no desire to return to The Hawthorns.

"I've got three years left on my contract at West Brom, but I don't want to go back there," said the Welsh international. "I'm hoping Cardiff can find the money to sign me. I'm really enjoying my football. I think the team's got a good chance of finishing in the top six."

Speaking about his boss at Ninian Park - Dave Jones, Koumas said: "He's probably the best manager I've played under. He's getting my old confidence back. He tells me to go out and play, and that means a lot. Why would I want to leave Cardiff when I'm enjoying it so much."

Saturday 10th December 2005

Impressive Albion sink ten man City

Goals from Diomansy Kamara and Kevin Campbell help Albion to a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at The Hawthorns. Senegal star Kamara put the hosts ahead after just five minutes and substitute Campbell doubled the lead with a header on 61 minutes. A somewhat ill-tempered game saw City's former England striker Andy Cole sent-off  three minutes from time for his second bookable offence. The win, in front of a crowd of 25,472, sees Bryan Robson's men move up to 16th place in the Premiership table.

Youths lose

Albion's Academy team go down to a 2-1 defeat against Everton. Stuart Nicholson scored the Baggies' goal with a second-half strike.

Tuesday 6th December 2005

Albion handed Gera boost

Albion receive a boost with the news that midfielder Zoltan Gera could be fit to face Portsmouth a week on Saturday. The Hungarian international had suffered a hernia which eventually required surgery. He had initially been expected to be out of action until the New Year.

"Zoltan is coming on really well in training and, hopefully, he should be fit for next weekend, "Robson told the club's official website. "Different individuals vary when it comes to hernias. Some people can take four weeks to recover and some can take seven. But Zoltan's a really good professional and he has the sort of metabolism that means he heals quickly."

Duo linked

Albion are linked with January moves for Luton Town's Ahmet Brkovic and Amica Wronki defender Jaroslaw Bieniuk.

Croatian midfielder Brkovic joined the Hatters in 2001 from Leyton Orient and has been in impressive form at Kenilworth Road this season, scoring five goals as Luton push for a play-off place whilst Bieniuk is a long-standing target of Baggies' boss Bryan Robson and spent a spell on trial at The Hawthorns in pre-season.

Monday 5th December 2005

Albion to face Gunners?

Albion's youth team are handed an away tie at either Arsenal or Brentford in the FA Youth Cup 4th round. The Baggies must first beat Waltham Forest, who they face at Wadham Lodge on Monday, December 19.

Sunday 4th December 2005

Albion handed Royals test

Albion are handed a tricky home tie against Coca-Cola Championship leaders Reading in the FA Cup third round draw. The tie will be played at The Hawthorns on Saturday, December 7.

Saturday 3rd December 2005

Stalemate at The Hawthorns

Albion extend their unbeaten league run to three games following a goalless draw against ten man Fulham at The Hawthorns. Cottagers' captain Luis Boa Morte was given his marching orders in first half injury-time after fouling Albion defender Steve Watson to earn a second yellow card. The sending off was the fifth in the last four meetings between the two sides. A crowd of 23,411 watched a drab game of very few chances.

Nicholson strike earns Academy point

Albion's Academy side take a point from a 1-1 draw at Manchester City thanks to a first half Stuart Nicholson goal.

Thursday 1st December 2005

Robson confirms Keane talks

Albion boss Bryan Robson confirms he has spoken to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane about the possibility of move to The Hawthorns. The former Republic of Ireland star parted company with United by mutual consent a fortnight ago.

"I've enquired to Roy about what he has in his mind," said Robson. "At the moment, Roy has got loads of options available to him and within a few weeks he will make a decision on which challenge he wants. But only Roy Keane will be able to decide what that next challenge is going to be. I've spoken to Roy and he knows there is an option to come to this football club."

Taylor denies Horsfield rumours

Hull City boss Peter Taylor has dismissed reports that he is set to make a move to sign Albion striker Geoff Horsfield in the January transfer window.

"There's no truth in any move although I would love to have him here. He's a very good player but I can honestly say that where that's come from I really don't know. I know that Horsfield is still in his club's plans for this season - it's a wild rumour," said Taylor.