birminghammail--2020-01-25--'Outstanding' - Mark Robins gives his verdict on Birmingham City's Jude Bellingham amid Manchester U

'Outstanding' - Mark Robins gives his verdict on Birmingham City's Jude Bellingham amid Manchester United and Liverpool transfer talk

Mark Robins saw first hand what Championship managers have been witnessing for the whole season during Coventry City ’ s 0-0 draw with Birmingham City .
The Sky Blues boss felt his side deserved to win a scrappy encounter at a raucous St Andrew ’ s - while his opposite number Pep Clotet believed a replay was a fair outcome .
However , what both managers could agree on was the potential of Jude Bellingham who gave a dogged display in the Blues midfield at the end of another week of speculation linking him with Manchester United .
Robins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liked what he saw .
“ Jude Bellingham is one of the best young players in the country .
I can clearly see why he has been linked with big moves , ” Robins said .
“ He is outstanding .
For a 16-year-old , the power and pace he has – the ability he ’ s got – it ’ s there for everybody to see .
“ He ’ s going to be a top , top player .
He ’ s a level-headed young man I believe and I believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is outstanding too .
Superb .
“ But if you just focus on one [ player ] , somebody else will step in because they have good players.If you go to sleep for a second they go down the side , get crosses in and Jutkiewicz is a threat .
Danny Crowley might be ready for the replay .
There ’ s threats everywhere.
” Robins also insisted he enjoyed his experience as the home side , playing at the home of today ’ s opponents .
“ It was different because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : ‘ Shift.
’ “ Otherwise it was very similar .
We are used to these surroundings .
It might be different next time because I ’ ll have to stand 15 yards to the left !
“ Other than that it ’ s down to the players on the pitch .
We ’ ll have a few more friendly voices behind us I suppose .
“ Being in the hat is miles better than going out so I ’ m quite happy with it .
It ’ s another game but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to deal with it .
”

Mark Robins saw first hand what Championship managers have been witnessing for the whole season during Coventry City’s 0-0 draw with Birmingham City.
The Sky Blues boss felt his side deserved to win a scrappy encounter at a raucous St Andrew’s - while his opposite number Pep Clotet believed a replay was a fair outcome.
However, what both managers could agree on was the potential of Jude Bellingham who gave a dogged display in the Blues midfield at the end of another week of speculation linking him with Manchester United.
Robins, himself a former Old Trafford starlet, liked what he saw.
“Jude Bellingham is one of the best young players in the country. I can clearly see why he has been linked with big moves,” Robins said.
“He is outstanding. For a 16-year-old, the power and pace he has – the ability he’s got – it’s there for everybody to see.
“He’s going to be a top, top player. He’s a level-headed young man I believe and I believe he’s got a brother who is outstanding too. Superb.
“But if you just focus on one [player], somebody else will step in because they have good players.If you go to sleep for a second they go down the side, get crosses in and Jutkiewicz is a threat. Danny Crowley might be ready for the replay. There’s threats everywhere.”
Robins also insisted he enjoyed his experience as the home side, playing at the home of today’s opponents.
“It was different because there were people behind us screaming and shouting: ‘Shift.’
“Otherwise it was very similar. We are used to these surroundings. It might be different next time because I’ll have to stand 15 yards to the left!
“Other than that it’s down to the players on the pitch. We’ll have a few more friendly voices behind us I suppose.
“Being in the hat is miles better than going out so I’m quite happy with it. It’s another game but we’ve got a big squad and we have to deal with it.”


birminghammail--2020-01-25--The reason why West Brom will play their FA Cup fifth-round tie in midweek

West Brom will be forced to play their FA Cup fifth-round tie in midweek for the first time .
Slaven Bilic 's Baggies were victorious on their manager 's return to his former club on Saturday as they beat West Ham 1-0 despite a red card to Semi Ajayi .
However , all of the fixture in fifth round of the FA Cup will be played in midweek .
Fixture congestion has been a major talking point in recent years , with the Premier League set for it ’ s first winter break this season and FA Cup replays from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fifth round fixtures will also not be played over a traditional weekend and will instead be spread across midweek , following a decision made last season after six Premier League sides reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and Europa League .
EFL chiefs agreed to the change and the fifth round fixtures will take place on Wednesday March 4th - although they will also likely take place on the Tuesday and Thursday following TV selections .
It also means that the month of February will not see any FA Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last stage of the competition that will use replays this season .
The schedule for the remainder of this year 's FA Cup looks like this :

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Josh Challies, Elliott Jackson)

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West Brom will be forced to play their FA Cup fifth-round tie in midweek for the first time.
Slaven Bilic's Baggies were victorious on their manager's return to his former club on Saturday as they beat West Ham 1-0 despite a red card to Semi Ajayi.
However, all of the fixture in fifth round of the FA Cup will be played in midweek.
Fixture congestion has been a major talking point in recent years, with the Premier League set for it’s first winter break this season and FA Cup replays from the fifth round onwards being scrapped.
The fifth round fixtures will also not be played over a traditional weekend and will instead be spread across midweek, following a decision made last season after six Premier League sides reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and Europa League.
EFL chiefs agreed to the change and the fifth round fixtures will take place on Wednesday March 4th - although they will also likely take place on the Tuesday and Thursday following TV selections.
It also means that the month of February will not see any FA Cup matches other than the fourth-round replays - the last stage of the competition that will use replays this season.
The schedule for the remainder of this year's FA Cup looks like this:


birminghammail--2020-01-25--Why Birmingham City will play their FA Cup fifth-round tie in midweek if they beat Coventry City

Birmingham City could be forced to play their FA Cup fifth-round tie in midweek for the first time .
The Blues were forced to a replay against Coventry City after a dull 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon .
That will see the two teams meet once again at St Andrew 's , with Pep Clotet 's side this time allowed to play hosts inside their own stadium .
However , all of the fixture in fifth round of the FA Cup will be played in midweek .
Fixture congestion has been a major talking point in recent years , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first winter break this season and FA Cup replays from the fifth round onwards being scrapped .
The fifth round fixtures will also not be played over a traditional weekend and will instead be spread across midweek , following a decision made last season after six Premier League sides reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and Europa League .
EFL chiefs agreed to the change and the fifth round fixtures will take place on Wednesday March 4th - although they will also likely take place on the Tuesday and Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the month of February will not see any FA Cup matches other than the fourth-round replays - the last stage of the competition that will use replays this season .
The schedule for the remainder of this year 's FA Cup looks like this :

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Birmingham City could be forced to play their FA Cup fifth-round tie in midweek for the first time.
The Blues were forced to a replay against Coventry City after a dull 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon.
That will see the two teams meet once again at St Andrew's, with Pep Clotet's side this time allowed to play hosts inside their own stadium.
However, all of the fixture in fifth round of the FA Cup will be played in midweek.
Fixture congestion has been a major talking point in recent years, with the Premier League set for it’s first winter break this season and FA Cup replays from the fifth round onwards being scrapped.
The fifth round fixtures will also not be played over a traditional weekend and will instead be spread across midweek, following a decision made last season after six Premier League sides reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and Europa League.
EFL chiefs agreed to the change and the fifth round fixtures will take place on Wednesday March 4th - although they will also likely take place on the Tuesday and Thursday following TV selections.
It also means that the month of February will not see any FA Cup matches other than the fourth-round replays - the last stage of the competition that will use replays this season.
The schedule for the remainder of this year's FA Cup looks like this:


birminghammail--2020-01-25--'You can see' - David Moyes makes honest West Brom admission after FA Cup defeat

David Moyes has admitted he played almost a full strength team , after seeing West Bromwich Albion at home as a viable route into the FA Cup 5 round .
Albion beat Premier League West Ham 1-0 at The London Stadium , despite making eight changes from their regular starting line-up .
With the Hammers in a relegation battle , it was expected Moyes would also rotate his squad , but started nearly all of his first-team squad .
After the game , he revealed that although they ’ re struggling in the league , he was keen to progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Brom played well for a period in the first half , you can see why they ’ re top of the league in a way .
They ’ ve got a momentum going for them , they ’ re getting used to winning .
That was noticeable .
“ That was pretty much a West Ham first team today as well .
So we did everything we possibly could to get through in the cup .
We were at home and I saw it as a chance , I wanted to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could .
“ I know sometimes it can be a distraction , but I thought it would be helpful to go through and in truth the only player we didn ’ t start was Mark Noble.
” West Brom went down to ten men with around 20 minutes to go , but aside from a last gasp Mark Noble chance , they rarely threatened .
“ We didn ’ t create enough chances throughout the game , that was obvious , ” Moyes added .
” We pushed , but that was about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have to say we never really had anything clear cut .
”

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David Moyes has admitted he played almost a full strength team, after seeing West Bromwich Albion at home as a viable route into the FA Cup 5 round.
Albion beat Premier League West Ham 1-0 at The London Stadium, despite making eight changes from their regular starting line-up.
With the Hammers in a relegation battle, it was expected Moyes would also rotate his squad, but started nearly all of his first-team squad.
(Image: Adam Fradgley/AMA)
After the game, he revealed that although they’re struggling in the league, he was keen to progress in the cup.
“I thought West Brom played well for a period in the first half, you can see why they’re top of the league in a way. They’ve got a momentum going for them, they’re getting used to winning. That was noticeable.
“That was pretty much a West Ham first team today as well. So we did everything we possibly could to get through in the cup. We were at home and I saw it as a chance, I wanted to give the supporters a cup run if I could.
“I know sometimes it can be a distraction, but I thought it would be helpful to go through and in truth the only player we didn’t start was Mark Noble.”
West Brom went down to ten men with around 20 minutes to go, but aside from a last gasp Mark Noble chance, they rarely threatened.
“We didn’t create enough chances throughout the game, that was obvious,” Moyes added. ”We pushed, but that was about as much as I can say. I have to say we never really had anything clear cut.”


birminghammail--2020-01-25--Pride of Birmingham 2020 celebrity judges revealed with Jasper Carrott and Glynn Purnell set to appe

Pride of Birmingham 2020 celebrity judges revealed with Jasper Carrott and Glynn Purnell set to appear

Brummie legend Jasper Carrott , Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell and soap star Jan Pearson are among judges of this year ’ s Pride of Birmingham Awards .
The trio complete a ten-strong line-up of city personalities , fundraisers and influencers who will next week have the toughest decisions of the year to make .
They are joined by Julia Regis , Jane Sutton , Kerry Hemus , Sameena Ali-Khan , Gareth Lewis , Shiraz Lalani and Birmingham Mail editor Paul Cole .
Our awards each year recognise remarkable achievements in the fields of courage , caring , compassion and community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Researchers have now whittled them down to a shortlist , and the judges will meet at Birmingham ’ s Park Regis hotel to decide the eventual winners .
Those names will be kept under wraps until the glittering awards gala night at the University of Birmingham ’ s majestic Aston Webb Hall on Wednesday March 18 .
The awards are run by the Birmingham Mail with partners TSB , and each of our winners will be shortlisted for the Mirror ’ s Pride of Britain Awards .
For more information about the Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brummie funnyman ’ s career has spanned five decades since he started as resident compére at the Boggery Folk Club in the mid-seventies .
Awarded the OBE , and an ambassador for Birmingham , Jasper is still delighting fans , most recently with his touring Stand Up & Rock gigs .
Chair of the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust set up following the death of her football legend husband Cyrille Regis , Julia continues his impact and legacy .
She is also ambassador for Wateraid , a Trustee of Smart Works Birmingham , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roles in the housing and youth sectors .
The ‘ Yummy Brummie ’ chef and Saturday Kitchen TV presenter put Birmingham on the culinary map , winning the city ’ s first Michelin star at Jessica ’ s in 2005 .
Today he runs the Michelin-starred Purnell ’ s Restaurant on Cornwall Street and Purnell ’ s Bistro & Ginger ’ s Bar on Newhall Street .
One of the UK ’ s most popular soap actresses , Brummie Jan has been a regular on daytime drama Doctors as receptionist Karen Hollins since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sister Kath Fox in the BBC TV medical drama Holby City .
She is currently the second-longest serving member of the Doctors cast .
Editor of the print editions of the Birmingham Mail and Sunday Mercury , Paul has worked as a journalist in the city for more than 40 years .
A wide-ranging career has also seen him work as a crime reporter , features specialist , travel editor , rock and roll writer and BRIT Awards judge .
Jane is the mum of inspirational Burntwood teenager Stephen Sutton , who moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life to the full .
Stephen , who died at the age of 19 , raised more than £5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust and Jane has continued the work he started , tirelessly raising funds and awareness of teenage cancer .
The Area Director for West Midlands at TSB joined the bank 20 years ago as a cashier and worked his way up through a variety of roles in the branch network .
He loves the diversity of Birmingham and has worked in and around the city for his whole career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional golfer .
The ITV Central newsreader has been on TV in the Midlands since 2001 and reported on thousands of stories , presented outside broadcasts , and interviewed guests from all walks of life .
She is also an ambassador for Breast Cancer Research and The Prince ’ s Trust , and a patron for Breaking the Silence , a domestic abuse charity .
Kerry joined the ambulance service as a cadet and became part of the Midlands Air Ambulance air crew based at RAF Cosford .
After completing her critical care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trauma paramedic and now also works for the medical emergency response incident team and emergency operations centre .
The editorial director of the Pride of Britain Awards has been a journalist for 20 years , Shiraz was executive features editor of the Daily Mirror , news-edited the paper and managed the Mirror ’ s coverage of the last three General Elections .
He has been part of the Pride of Britain team since 2011 .

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Brummie legend Jasper Carrott, Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell and soap star Jan Pearson are among judges of this year’s Pride of Birmingham Awards.
The trio complete a ten-strong line-up of city personalities, fundraisers and influencers who will next week have the toughest decisions of the year to make.
They are joined by Julia Regis, Jane Sutton, Kerry Hemus, Sameena Ali-Khan, Gareth Lewis, Shiraz Lalani and Birmingham Mail editor Paul Cole. Our awards each year recognise remarkable achievements in the fields of courage, caring, compassion and community, and attract hundreds of entries.
Researchers have now whittled them down to a shortlist, and the judges will meet at Birmingham’s Park Regis hotel to decide the eventual winners. Those names will be kept under wraps until the glittering awards gala night at the University of Birmingham’s majestic Aston Webb Hall on Wednesday March 18.
The awards are run by the Birmingham Mail with partners TSB, and each of our winners will be shortlisted for the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards. For more information about the Park Regis hotel see www.parkregisbirmingham.co.uk.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
JASPER CARROTT
The legendary Brummie funnyman’s career has spanned five decades since he started as resident compére at the Boggery Folk Club in the mid-seventies. Awarded the OBE, and an ambassador for Birmingham, Jasper is still delighting fans, most recently with his touring Stand Up & Rock gigs.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
JULIA REGIS
Chair of the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust set up following the death of her football legend husband Cyrille Regis, Julia continues his impact and legacy. She is also ambassador for Wateraid, a Trustee of Smart Works Birmingham, and has held a number of non-executive director roles in the housing and youth sectors.
(Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
GLYNN PURNELL
The ‘Yummy Brummie’ chef and Saturday Kitchen TV presenter put Birmingham on the culinary map, winning the city’s first Michelin star at Jessica’s in 2005. Today he runs the Michelin-starred Purnell’s Restaurant on Cornwall Street and Purnell’s Bistro & Ginger’s Bar on Newhall Street.
JAN PEARSON
One of the UK’s most popular soap actresses, Brummie Jan has been a regular on daytime drama Doctors as receptionist Karen Hollins since 2009 and first found fame playing Ward Sister Kath Fox in the BBC TV medical drama Holby City. She is currently the second-longest serving member of the Doctors cast.
PAUL COLE
Editor of the print editions of the Birmingham Mail and Sunday Mercury, Paul has worked as a journalist in the city for more than 40 years. A wide-ranging career has also seen him work as a crime reporter, features specialist, travel editor, rock and roll writer and BRIT Awards judge.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
JANE SUTTON
Jane is the mum of inspirational Burntwood teenager Stephen Sutton, who moved the world with his message to live life to the full. Stephen, who died at the age of 19, raised more than £5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust and Jane has continued the work he started, tirelessly raising funds and awareness of teenage cancer.
GARETH LEWIS
The Area Director for West Midlands at TSB joined the bank 20 years ago as a cashier and worked his way up through a variety of roles in the branch network. He loves the diversity of Birmingham and has worked in and around the city for his whole career – and also used to be a professional golfer.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
SAMEENA ALI-KHAN
The ITV Central newsreader has been on TV in the Midlands since 2001 and reported on thousands of stories, presented outside broadcasts, and interviewed guests from all walks of life. She is also an ambassador for Breast Cancer Research and The Prince’s Trust, and a patron for Breaking the Silence, a domestic abuse charity.
KERRY HEMUS
Kerry joined the ambulance service as a cadet and became part of the Midlands Air Ambulance air crew based at RAF Cosford. After completing her critical care paramedic training, she became a specialist trauma paramedic and now also works for the medical emergency response incident team and emergency operations centre.
SHIRAZ LALANI
The editorial director of the Pride of Britain Awards has been a journalist for 20 years, Shiraz was executive features editor of the Daily Mirror, news-edited the paper and managed the Mirror’s coverage of the last three General Elections. He has been part of the Pride of Britain team since 2011.


birminghammail--2020-01-25--'We’re in your seats' - How Coventry City and Birmingham City fans managed to liven up the dullest o

'We’re in your seats' - How Coventry City and Birmingham City fans managed to liven up the dullest of games

While events on the pitch at St Andrew ’ s failed to live up to the hype , Coventry City and Birmingham City ’ s FA Cup tie was pure banter in the stands .
The unusual tenants against landlords scenario was made all the more strange by the fact St Andrew ’ s was half Blues , half Sky Blues .
That created a good atmosphere and gave the 9,000 ‘ away ’ fans and 10,000 ‘ home ’ supporters , plenty of scope to give each other stick .
Here are the highlights of the back and forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5mins - Blues to Coventry : ‘ Our ground ’ s too big for you ’ -booms out from the Gil Merrick as 21,000 are inside a stadium which featured large areas of segregation .
13 mins - Real banter-tennis from Blues and Coventry .
The Sky Blues start it with : ‘ You ’ re supposed to be at home ’ .
That draws a riposte of ‘ You ’ ve got no ground , you ’ ve got no , ground , you ’ ve got no ground ... .
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ home ’ team reply : ‘ We ’ ve got your ground ... .
’ which then changes into ‘ We ’ re in your seats , we ’ re in your seats ... .
’ 17 mins - it all gets a bit sweary , Blues fans start with ‘ **** the EFL ’ , their customary tribute to the league ’ governing body .
That becomes ‘ **** Coventry ... .
’ 29 mins - This one draws a giggle , from the Birmingham City supporters : ‘ Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ library ?
’ 47 mins - From the Bluenoses again : ‘ We ’ re drawing away , how **** must you be , we ’ re drawing away ’ .
52 mins - From the Gil Merrick , which spreads to the Main Stand : ‘ My garden shed , is bigger than this ... .
’ 55 mins - And probably the winning chant , from the Blues fans : ‘ Who ’ s the w***** in my seat ?
’ Which draws the retort from the Coventry supporters : ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve got no ground ... ’ which becomes ‘ We ’ ve got your ground ... .
’ 70 mins - After the attendance of 21,193 is announced , from the Tilton and Kop : ‘ We ’ ve got more fans than you ... .
’ Let ’ s do it all again soon .

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While events on the pitch at St Andrew’s failed to live up to the hype, Coventry City and Birmingham City’s FA Cup statelmate was pure banter in the stands.
The unusual tenants against landlords scenario was made all the more strange by the fact St Andrew’s was half Blues, half Sky Blues.
That created a good atmosphere and gave the 9,000 ‘away’ fans and 10,000 ‘home’ supporters, plenty of scope to give each other stick.
Here are the highlights of the back and forth between the two sets of followers from the first game.
First half
5mins - Blues to Coventry: ‘Our ground’s too big for you’ -booms out from the Gil Merrick as 21,000 are inside a stadium which featured large areas of segregation.
13 mins - Real banter-tennis from Blues and Coventry. The Sky Blues start it with: ‘You’re supposed to be at home’.
That draws a riposte of ‘You’ve got no ground, you’ve got no, ground, you’ve got no ground....’ from the Blues stands.
To which the ‘home’ team reply: ‘We’ve got your ground....’ which then changes into ‘We’re in your seats, we’re in your seats....’
17 mins - it all gets a bit sweary, Blues fans start with ‘**** the EFL’, their customary tribute to the league’ governing body. That becomes ‘**** Coventry....’
29 mins - This one draws a giggle, from the Birmingham City supporters: ‘Is this a library, is this a library?’
Second half
47 mins - From the Bluenoses again: ‘We’re drawing away, how **** must you be, we’re drawing away’.
52 mins - From the Gil Merrick, which spreads to the Main Stand: ‘My garden shed, is bigger than this....’
55 mins - And probably the winning chant, from the Blues fans: ‘Who’s the w***** in my seat?’
Which draws the retort from the Coventry supporters: ‘You’ve got no ground, you’ve got no ground...’ which becomes ‘We’ve got your ground....’
70 mins - After the attendance of 21,193 is announced, from the Tilton and Kop: ‘We’ve got more fans than you....’
And they'll do it all again tonight, with Coventry bringing around 4,000 supporters, although they'll be housed in the Gil Merrick this time.


birminghammail--2020-01-25--This is what Slaven Bilic told his West Brom players after West Ham win

Slaven Bilic told his players their 1-0 FA Cup win over West Ham will help them to get an ‘ extra bit back ’ after a poor run in the Championship .
West Brom came into the game at The London Stadium , having not won a game in six in the league .
But a goal from Conor Townsend earned them a victory against Premier League opponents .
Speaking after the game , Bilic , hinted that while his players hadn ’ t lost confidence , the win over the Hammers should give them a major boost for Cardiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of the table , but we have not been having the greatest run recently and I said to the boys : ‘ This will help us to get back that little bit ’ .
“ The players are only human and sometimes they need a great performance like we have today .
We didn ’ t lose confidence , but this will help to get that extra bit back.
” Albion dominated the first half against West Ham and were good value for their one goal lead at the break , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better .
He added : “ I said to the guys at half time : ‘ The only thing I ’ m unhappy with is the result ’ and we were winning , but we should have been more up.
” The Baggies had to withstand a late onslaught from the hosts after Semi Ajayi was dismissed for picking up two yellow cards .
But despite late pressure , Bilic felt his team fully deserved their win .
“ The second half was a more or less normal game until the red card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they put pressure on us and we had to defend well , we defended in numbers , we defended well .
“ Of course you have to let them come deep in your half and then you have to defend the crosses and sometimes not even the crosses , you have to defend the box and you have to let them have a shot from outside the box .
“ What we did was limit them to one chance at the end of the game .
“ We deserved it big time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from everyone and that is what you need when you play a Premier League team away from home .
”

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Slaven Bilic told his players their 1-0 FA Cup win over West Ham will help them to get an ‘extra bit back’ after a poor run in the Championship.
West Brom came into the game at The London Stadium, having not won a game in six in the league. But a goal from Conor Townsend earned them a victory against Premier League opponents.
Speaking after the game, Bilic, hinted that while his players hadn’t lost confidence, the win over the Hammers should give them a major boost for Cardiff City on Tuesday.
(Image: PA)
“We are top of the table, but we have not been having the greatest run recently and I said to the boys: ‘This will help us to get back that little bit’.
“The players are only human and sometimes they need a great performance like we have today. We didn’t lose confidence, but this will help to get that extra bit back.”
Albion dominated the first half against West Ham and were good value for their one goal lead at the break, but Bilic felt it could have been even better.
He added: “I said to the guys at half time: ‘The only thing I’m unhappy with is the result’ and we were winning, but we should have been more up.”
The Baggies had to withstand a late onslaught from the hosts after Semi Ajayi was dismissed for picking up two yellow cards. But despite late pressure, Bilic felt his team fully deserved their win.
(Image: PA)
“The second half was a more or less normal game until the red card, the second yellow. Then OK they put pressure on us and we had to defend well, we defended in numbers, we defended well.
“Of course you have to let them come deep in your half and then you have to defend the crosses and sometimes not even the crosses, you have to defend the box and you have to let them have a shot from outside the box.
“What we did was limit them to one chance at the end of the game.
“We deserved it big time. It was a complete and mature performance from everyone and that is what you need when you play a Premier League team away from home.”


birminghammail--2020-01-25--'We knew' - What Birmingham City boss Pep Clotet made of the draw with Coventry City

Pep Clotet insisted his Birmingham City side deserve their FA Cup replay after being held by League One Coventry City .
Blues ’ head coach admitted his side were not good enough in the final third - but pointed to the fact the teams had the same number of shots - on and off target - in a cup tie that failed to live up to expectation .
“ We knew Coventry play with a lot of confidence and they would be very tough defensively , ” Clotet said .
“ We had to build making sure we kept a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that department and we made it very difficult for Coventry to find a flow .
“ Tactically we were very good in the whole game - we did lack being a little bit more sharp in the final third .
That ’ s why we could not come on top .
The same could be applied to Coventry .
“ It was a very tactical game , with both sides doing everything tactically well there was no mistakes and probably not the show that everyone who came to see the game wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to make sure we were tactically strong .
We have to play a replay and it will give us another chance to prepare better and be brighter up front.
” It was the League One team who had the best chance of the game , though - deep into stoppage time when Aston Villa youngster Callum O ’ Hare somehow failed to get a touch on to Amadou Bakayoko ’ s knockdown .
“ We had some set plays and chances as well that could have gone in today , ” Clotet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fair for both sides , if you take into consideration what happened in the final third for both teams .
I think it was not enough for either of the two teams to score a goal .
”

Pep Clotet insisted his Birmingham City side deserve their FA Cup replay after being held by League One Coventry City.
Blues’ head coach admitted his side were not good enough in the final third - but pointed to the fact the teams had the same number of shots - on and off target - in a cup tie that failed to live up to expectation.
“We knew Coventry play with a lot of confidence and they would be very tough defensively,” Clotet said.
“We had to build making sure we kept a clean sheet. We are happy in that department and we made it very difficult for Coventry to find a flow.
“Tactically we were very good in the whole game - we did lack being a little bit more sharp in the final third. That’s why we could not come on top.
The same could be applied to Coventry.
“It was a very tactical game, with both sides doing everything tactically well there was no mistakes and probably not the show that everyone who came to see the game wanted to have.
“It was important for us to make sure we were tactically strong. We have to play a replay and it will give us another chance to prepare better and be brighter up front.”
It was the League One team who had the best chance of the game, though - deep into stoppage time when Aston Villa youngster Callum O’Hare somehow failed to get a touch on to Amadou Bakayoko’s knockdown.
“We had some set plays and chances as well that could have gone in today,” Clotet continued.
“I think the result is fair for both sides, if you take into consideration what happened in the final third for both teams. I think it was not enough for either of the two teams to score a goal.”


birminghammail--2020-01-25--"Bilic wasn’t the problem" - West Ham fans defend former boss after West Brom loss

West Ham United fans have aimed criticism at the club following today 's loss against West Bromwich Albion .
The Hammers were knocked out of the FA Cup at the 4th round by a West Brom team managed by former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic .
A Conor Townsend goal was the difference , and despite a Semi Ajayi red card , the Baggies held on to seal the win and enter the 5th round of the FA Cup .
West Ham fans are n't too happy with the manner of the loss nor the actions of their board .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ following his side 's win .
Here 's just some of the reaction : Daryl : We ’ re going down with the Villa Dave : Absolutely delighted for Bilic and Dicks .
I had absolute confidence in a West Ham loss today .
Our owners couldn ’ t manage a fart after a curry let alone a football club .
I honestly think we could plummet down the leagues if these jokers carry on at WH .
Vincent : Well done Slav , was n't exactly tough though was it ?
Roger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong with football .
Over rated , vastly overpaid players , many who are average at best .
No heart , no soul and pampered beyond belief .
Lee : Shambles ... ... .absolute shambles and you still won ’ t buy anyone !
William : Just put the club up for sale .
The fans deserve better than this .
We want owners who want to succeed & back up the talk by investing properly in the club .
Not like we have now , all smoke & mirrors , spin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete disgrace !
Andy : Utter utter disgrace by all involved season over .
Don ’ t care if we go down this is all on the 3 at the top of the club .
To long to sack the manager then went for the easy option for the replacement and now not backing him .
Will be my last season as a season ticket holder .
Richard : We sacked Bilic to take us to the “ next level ” , now we can ’ t beat his team from the league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had one sent off .
Gold and Sullivan should be ashamed if they were capable of feeling shame .
CB : This just goes to prove Bilic wasn ’ t the problem - it was and has always been our board .
Liam : Beaten ( comfortably ) by a championship reserves side ... 3 changes at half time shows that clown knows he picked the wrong team .
First shot on target in the 85th minute , they even played the last 20 minutes with 10 men !
Pathetic .
Moyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he .

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West Ham United fans have aimed criticism at the club following today's loss against West Bromwich Albion.
The Hammers were knocked out of the FA Cup at the 4th round by a West Brom team managed by former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic.
A Conor Townsend goal was the difference, and despite a Semi Ajayi red card, the Baggies held on to seal the win and enter the 5th round of the FA Cup.
West Ham fans aren't too happy with the manner of the loss nor the actions of their board. Some have even defended and complimented Bilic following his side's win.
Here's just some of the reaction:
Daryl: We’re going down with the Villa
Dave: Absolutely delighted for Bilic and Dicks. I had absolute confidence in a West Ham loss today. Our owners couldn’t manage a fart after a curry let alone a football club. I honestly think we could plummet down the leagues if these jokers carry on at WH.
Vincent: Well done Slav, wasn't exactly tough though was it?
Roger: This WHU team demonstrates everything that is wrong with football. Over rated, vastly overpaid players, many who are average at best. No heart, no soul and pampered beyond belief.
Lee: Shambles.......absolute shambles and you still won’t buy anyone!
(Image: PA)
Ari: Announce relegation.
William: Just put the club up for sale. The fans deserve better than this. We want owners who want to succeed & back up the talk by investing properly in the club. Not like we have now, all smoke & mirrors, spin & propaganda. Owners you're a complete disgrace!
Andy: Utter utter disgrace by all involved season over. Don’t care if we go down this is all on the 3 at the top of the club. To long to sack the manager then went for the easy option for the replacement and now not backing him. Will be my last season as a season ticket holder.
Richard: We sacked Bilic to take us to the “next level”, now we can’t beat his team from the league below when they rested half their players and had one sent off. Gold and Sullivan should be ashamed if they were capable of feeling shame.
Ciaran: Thank god I didn’t go!
CB: This just goes to prove Bilic wasn’t the problem - it was and has always been our board.
(Image: Getty Images)
Liam: Beaten (comfortably) by a championship reserves side... 3 changes at half time shows that clown knows he picked the wrong team. First shot on target in the 85th minute, they even played the last 20 minutes with 10 men! Pathetic. Moyes was a fantastic appointment wasn’t he.


birminghammail--2020-01-25--'Snore-fest' - Birmingham City fans react to Coventry City game as FA Cup clash ends 0-0

Birmingham City fans left St Andrew 's hoping to quickly forget the stalemate with Coventry City in the FA Cup .
Both teams played out a somewhat pedestrian encounter in the peculiar fixture which saw Blues take on the role of the away side .
Ted Smith : Just proves that blues are an average league 1 side .
Ryan : Nothing to report really , we didn ’ t do anything all game , absolute joke , pep out LeeW1875 : What exactly was we trying to do ?
There was no tactical awareness or style of play .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had no pace nothing ... .come on Pep what was your plan ?
Connor Thompson : That was awful .
Completely awful .
Not attacking intent what so ever .
@ r974ce : Absolutely horrendous .
Not sure what 's more embarrassing , our performance , our form for the last few months or o'hares miss .
We need 3 players in before the window closes or I reckon we could be relegated .
Dreadful performance Sean Jones : Even played like the away team today blues really got into the spirit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just switch ends and go straight to golden goal lads .
Literally nobody wants a replay .
Horrific

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Birmingham City fans left St Andrew's hoping to quickly forget the stalemate with Coventry City in the FA Cup.
Both teams played out a somewhat pedestrian encounter in the peculiar fixture which saw Blues take on the role of the away side.
Blues fans cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle.
Ted Smith: Just proves that blues are an average league 1 side .
Dan Taylor: Wasn’t worth fighting over the tickets, snore fest
Ryan: Nothing to report really, we didn’t do anything all game, absolute joke, pep out
LeeW1875: What exactly was we trying to do? There was no tactical awareness or style of play. We couldnt put 2 passes together, had no pace nothing....come on Pep what was your plan?
Connor Thompson: That was awful. Completely awful. Not attacking intent what so ever.
@r974ce: Absolutely horrendous. Not sure what's more embarrassing, our performance, our form for the last few months or o'hares miss. We need 3 players in before the window closes or I reckon we could be relegated. Dreadful performance
Sean Jones: Even played like the away team today blues really got into the spirit of the draw.
Max Bradley: Let’s just switch ends and go straight to golden goal lads. Literally nobody wants a replay. Horrific


birminghammail--2020-01-25--"Trip to Wembley?" - West Brom fans react after West Ham FA Cup win

A Conor Townsend goal sealed vengeance for West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic today as his side progressed into the 5th round of the FA Cup .
Despite a Semi Ajayi red card , the Baggies held off West Ham United for 70 minutes to heap misery onto Bilic 's former side .
A heavily rotated Albion side saw off West Ham , and managed to avoid a Mark Noble equaliser as the midfielder fired over the bar from close range in stoppage time .
West Ham threw men forward and Noble should have equalised in stoppage time but fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into round five .
With progression secured with a solid performance , Baggies fans were left satisfied with their trip to Lond Lee : Amazing what you can achieve with two centre midfielders who are comfortable in possession !
Stevo : Now that ’ s an away day !
Also food for thought with so many excellent performances today .
Phil : Now lets do this in the league !
Andy : Fantastic and deserved win , lads who are hoping to make a point and certainly did.. O'Shea is an incredible prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pleasing to see balance with a specialist left midfield player , rather than someone out of position.. Great return for Bilic.. Mitch : Not gon na lie , when Semi got that red card I was sure we 'd end up with a replay .
Juric : Get in , Super Slav at it again !
James : Hegazi and Dara were brilliant today .
Get in there Baggies !
Michelle : Deserved win , decent performance for the 1st time in a few weeks .
Let ’ s take that into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
14 quality performances out there today .
Unlucky with the red , we move onto Cardiff !

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A Conor Townsend goal sealed vengeance for West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic today as his side progressed into the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Despite a Semi Ajayi red card, the Baggies held off West Ham United for 70 minutes to heap misery onto Bilic's former side.
A heavily rotated Albion side saw off West Ham, and managed to avoid a Mark Noble equaliser as the midfielder fired over the bar from close range in stoppage time.
(Image: PA)
West Ham threw men forward and Noble should have equalised in stoppage time but fired over from 10 yards as Albion moved into round five.
With progression secured with a solid performance, Baggies fans were left satisfied with their trip to Lond
Lee: Amazing what you can achieve with two centre midfielders who are comfortable in possession!
Stevo: Now that’s an away day ! Also food for thought with so many excellent performances today.
Phil: Now lets do this in the league!
Andy: Fantastic and deserved win, lads who are hoping to make a point and certainly did.. O'Shea is an incredible prospect, has to start regularly now, and pleasing to see balance with a specialist left midfield player, rather than someone out of position.. Great return for Bilic..
Steven: Trip to Wembley?
Mitch: Not gonna lie, when Semi got that red card I was sure we'd end up with a replay.
Juric: Get in, Super Slav at it again!
James: Hegazi and Dara were brilliant today . Get in there Baggies!
Michelle: Deserved win, decent performance for the 1st time in a few weeks. Let’s take that into the league.
Dayne: Get in!
Ben: Get in. 14 quality performances out there today. Unlucky with the red, we move onto Cardiff!


birminghammail--2020-01-25--'Great belief' - what Dean Smith has had to say about Aston Villa's survival hopes

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith believes the best is yet to come from his side as they face up to @ @ @ @ @ Speaking as a guest on the BBC for Leicester 's FA Cup clash with Brentford @ @ @ @ @ whether the club would survive .
The question was posed by Gary Linkeker , and @ @ @ @ @ his faith in his players .
He stated : `` I 've got great belief @ @ @ @ @ 've got .
`` There 's 14 games left , a lot of points to @ @ @ @ @ think we 're growing and my teams normally get better in the second half of @ @ @ @ @ 'm hopeful that it will continue . ''
You can read the full transcript here

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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith believes the best is yet to come from his side as they face up to the Premier League run-in.
Speaking as a guest on the BBC for Leicester's FA Cup clash with Brentford, he was asked directly whether the club would survive.
The question was posed by Gary Linkeker, and Smith was eager to express his faith in his players.
He stated: "I've got great belief in the group that we've got.
"There's 14 games left, a lot of points to play for.
"I think we're growing and my teams normally get better in the second half of the season, so I'm hopeful that it will continue."
You can read the full transcript here


birminghammail--2020-01-25--'Ran himself ragged' - Birmingham City player ratings as Blues tie in battle to forget with Coventry

'Ran himself ragged' - Birmingham City player ratings as Blues tie in battle to forget with Coventry City

Birmingham City and Coventry City must do it all again after a low quality FA Cup tie at St Andrew ’ s .
Blues might have edged the first half but they were pushed right back in the second and will feel grateful to still be in Monday ’ s Fifth Round draw .
A virtual spectator in the first half - just one straightforward save from Jordan Shipley at his near post .
Much busier in the second , claiming crosses and producing a good save from Max Biamou .
Worked hard up and down the right flank but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back in the team after suspension and won a huge amount of headers in his own box .
Distribution not the best but he did what was asked of him .
A couple of interventions in the first 45 when he oozed class , with his pace and anticipation .
Under a lot of pressure in the second period , the highlight of which was a superb block on Dabo 's cross .
Up against the bright Fankaty Dabo who asked a few questions in the opening period .
Kept him under wraps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the shield in front of the back four and was strangely up-and-down .
Sometimes snapping into tackles , others not quite up to pace with the game .
Improved in the second period .
Deployed on the right wing and he showed his customary endeavour - but only managed a couple of decent crosses into the box .
His second one has his last contribution as he went off injured ten minutes into the second half .
Easily Blues best player in the first half , winning tackles in central midfield - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself ragged on a day when his work-rate outshone his technical abiity .
Showed his passing ability early in the game -but as Coventry pressed he became something of bystander .
Did himself few favours .
A really frustrating effort from the winger , who regularly got round his man but was unable to find a team-mate in the box .
Forced one save but had so many chances to create something more .
One classic centre-forward shoulder charge had the ball - illegitimately - in the net early on .
Spent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the box by his team-mates .
No support and deeply frustrated .
BELA ( for Mrabti , 56 ) 6 - Tried to get things going

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Birmingham City and Coventry City must do it all again after a low quality FA Cup tie at St Andrew’s.
Blues might have edged the first half but they were pushed right back in the second and will feel grateful to still be in Monday’s Fifth Round draw.
Here’s how they rated.
STARTING FORMATION
4-1-4-1
CAMP 7.5
A virtual spectator in the first half - just one straightforward save from Jordan Shipley at his near post. Much busier in the second, claiming crosses and producing a good save from Max Biamou.
COLIN 6.5
Worked hard up and down the right flank but occupied defensively way more than offensively.
DEAN 7
Back in the team after suspension and won a huge amount of headers in his own box. Distribution not the best but he did what was asked of him.
CLARKE-SALTER 7
A couple of interventions in the first 45 when he oozed class, with his pace and anticipation. Under a lot of pressure in the second period, the highlight of which was a superb block on Dabo's cross.
PEDERSEN 7
Up against the bright Fankaty Dabo who asked a few questions in the opening period. Kept him under wraps and tried to get forward.
SUNJIC 6
Operated as the shield in front of the back four and was strangely up-and-down. Sometimes snapping into tackles, others not quite up to pace with the game. Improved in the second period.
MRABTI 5
Deployed on the right wing and he showed his customary endeavour - but only managed a couple of decent crosses into the box. His second one has his last contribution as he went off injured ten minutes into the second half.
BELLINGHAM 7
Easily Blues best player in the first half, winning tackles in central midfield - and having one pot shot. Ran himself ragged on a day when his work-rate outshone his technical abiity.
McEACHRAN 5
Showed his passing ability early in the game -but as Coventry pressed he became something of bystander. Did himself few favours.
MONTERO 4.5
A really frustrating effort from the winger, who regularly got round his man but was unable to find a team-mate in the box. Forced one save but had so many chances to create something more.
JUTKIEWICZ 5.5
One classic centre-forward shoulder charge had the ball - illegitimately - in the net early on. Spent the rest of the game being missed in the box by his team-mates. No support and deeply frustrated.
SUBSTITUTES
BELA (for Mrabti, 56) 6 - Tried to get things going
GARDNER (for Bellingham, 86) N/A
MAGHOMA (for Montero, 86) N/A
Not used: Ramos, Roberts, Gimenez, Davis.
OPPOSITION
COVENTRY (3-4-2-1): Marosi; Rose, McFadzean, Hyam; Dabo, Walsh, Kelly, McCallum; Westbrooke (Biamou 68), Shipley (O’Hare 68); Godden (Bakayoko 81). Not used: Wilson, Mason, Allen, Pask,.
THE REF: Tim Robinson
ATTENDANCE: 21,193
NEXT UP: Nottingham Forest (h), Saturday, February 1, 3pm


birminghammail--2020-01-25--West Brom player ratings as 'classy' Krovinovic shines in FA Cup win at West Ham

A ferocious Conor Townsend strike was the only goal as West Bromwich Albion beat West Ham 1-0 at the London Stadium to move into the 5th round of the FA Cup .
Townsend fired the Baggies into the lead in the 9th minute and despite going down to ten men when Semi Ajayi was sent off , they held off their Premier League opponents .
Here 's how we rated the Albion players : Jonathan Bond 7 - He could have set out a deckchair for 84 minutes of the game .
But when he was called upon he dealt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Conor Townsend 8 - Scored a real stunner to put Albion into the lead .
Struck it like a seasoned forward .
Defended manfully up against Lanzini and got forward when he could .
Ahmed Hegazi 7 - Was solid and robust .
Saw off the sizeable challenge of Haller in the opening 45 .
A real physical presence .
Dara O ’ Shea 8 - Looked good defensively and going forward , while the full back on the other side got the goal .
Townsend offered a consistent threat and should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a header .
Albion will be delighted to tie him down to a new deal .
Chris Brunt 7 - Sat in front of Albion 's back four and offered real security .
He and Barry used all of their experience when their side went a man down in the closing stages .
Gareth Barry 8 - Booked in the first half after a couple of heavy challenges , but aside from that , he dictated possession from deep and was the source of so many attacks .
Set Phillips away after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ultimately wasted .
Still has some legs left , even with his advancing years .
Matty Phillips 6 - Of the forward players , was probably the one that struggled the most .
Was given a golden chance in the first half but was caught in two minds .
Worked hard but little came off for him .
Taken off just after the hour mark .
Filip Krovinovic 9 - Glided around the London Stadium turf and with the freedom allowed to him by Livermore and Barry , the classy midfielder ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's red , but for the 74 minutes he was on the pitch , he was the best player on it .
Looked full of confidence , could be vital for Albion in the coming weeks .
Kyle Edwards 8 - Was positive every time he got the ball and gave Zabaleta a torrid time .
The ex-Man City sipper has won nearly everything the game has to offer , but those days will have felt a distant memory when Edwards was whizzing by him .
Charlie Austin 7 - Worked his socks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Ham 's shoddy back line .
Should have made it 2-0 but missed two good headed chances either side of half time .
Replaced with 20 minutes to go but left it all out there .
Bartley ( for Krovinovic , 75 ) 6 - Brought on to fill the void left by Ajayi as West Ham flooded forward in the final minutes .
Zohore ( for Austin , 70 ) 6 - After West Brom went down to ten , Zohore found himself more and more isolated .
A really tricky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Held the ball up well as his side ran down the clock .
Tulloch ( for Phillips , 62 ) 6 - Unfortunately for the youngster , the game changed only minutes after his arrival meaning he was unable to show his talents going forward .

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A ferocious Conor Townsend strike was the only goal as West Bromwich Albion beat West Ham 1-0 at the London Stadium to move into the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Townsend fired the Baggies into the lead in the 9th minute and despite going down to ten men when Semi Ajayi was sent off, they held off their Premier League opponents.
Here's how we rated the Albion players:
West Brom team (4-2-3-1):
Jonathan Bond 7 - He could have set out a deckchair for 84 minutes of the game. But when he was called upon he dealt with shots from distance with relative ease.
(Image: Getty Images)
Conor Townsend 8 - Scored a real stunner to put Albion into the lead. Struck it like a seasoned forward. Defended manfully up against Lanzini and got forward when he could.
(Image: PA)
Got bailed out by his central defensive partner in the first half, after a dreadful back-pass almost let Haller in. Improved thereafter, but left his side with a painful last 20 minutes after picking up two yellows he could have little complaints over. Will now miss the game with Cardiff.
Ahmed Hegazi 7 - Was solid and robust. Saw off the sizeable challenge of Haller in the opening 45. A real physical presence.
Dara O’Shea 8 - Looked good defensively and going forward, while the full back on the other side got the goal. Townsend offered a consistent threat and should have registered an assist when Austin missed a header. Albion will be delighted to tie him down to a new deal.
Chris Brunt 7 - Sat in front of Albion's back four and offered real security. He and Barry used all of their experience when their side went a man down in the closing stages.
Gareth Barry 8 - Booked in the first half after a couple of heavy challenges, but aside from that, he dictated possession from deep and was the source of so many attacks. Set Phillips away after a great tackle, but the chance would be ultimately wasted. Still has some legs left, even with his advancing years.
Matty Phillips 6 - Of the forward players, was probably the one that struggled the most. Was given a golden chance in the first half but was caught in two minds. Worked hard but little came off for him. Taken off just after the hour mark.
Filip Krovinovic 9 - Glided around the London Stadium turf and with the freedom allowed to him by Brunt and Barry, the classy midfielder ran the show. Was sacrificed after Ajayi's red, but for the 74 minutes he was on the pitch, he was the best player on it. Looked full of confidence, could be vital for Albion in the coming weeks.
(Image: Getty Images)
Kyle Edwards 8 - Was positive every time he got the ball and gave Zabaleta a torrid time. The ex-Man City sipper has won nearly everything the game has to offer, but those days will have felt a distant memory when Edwards was whizzing by him.
(Image: PA)
Charlie Austin 7 - Worked his socks off and was a real menace to West Ham's shoddy back line. Should have made it 2-0 but missed two good headed chances either side of half time. Replaced with 20 minutes to go but left it all out there.
Subs
Bartley (for Krovinovic, 75) 6 - Brought on to fill the void left by Ajayi as West Ham flooded forward in the final minutes.
Zohore (for Austin, 70) 6 - After West Brom went down to ten, Zohore found himself more and more isolated. A really tricky assignment but he stuck at it. Held the ball up well as his side ran down the clock.
Tulloch (for Phillips, 62) 6 - Unfortunately for the youngster, the game changed only minutes after his arrival meaning he was unable to show his talents going forward.
Subs not used: Al-Habsi, Livermore, Harper, Willock.
(Image: Getty Images)
Goals: West Brom:Townsend (9)
Referee: Stuart Attwell
VAR: David Coote
Attendance: 58,911
Up next: Cardiff City (A), Tuesday January 28, (19.45)


birminghammail--2020-01-25--Coventry City 0 vs Birmingham City 0 - match report, pictures and analysis after FA Cup stalemate at

Coventry City 0 vs Birmingham City 0 - match report, pictures and analysis after FA Cup stalemate at St Andrew's

Birmingham City and Coventry City must replay one of the most unusual cup ties of recent years after a goalless draw at St Andrew ’ s .
Landlord and tenant could not be separated in a scrappy affair that failed to live up to the pre-match hype .
They will get another opportunity at the same venue .
But it could have been so different had Coventry ’ s Aston Villa loanee Callum O ’ Hare not somehow missed an open goal from a yard out with the game in stoppage time .
Pep Clotet named a strong starting line-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the midweek draw in Middlesbrough .
Harlee Dean , Ivan Sunjic , Josh McEachran , Jefferson Montero and Jude Bellingham were all back in the starting line-up .
And as you might expect Blues had the better of the first half exchanges , without showing the requisite quality to affect the scoreline .
Most of what Blues did produce fell to Lukas Jutkiewicz , indeed he had the ball in the net in the fourth minute .
Kerim Mrabti crossed from the right but allowed Marko Marosi to claim under pressure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball and dropped it over his line but the referee flagged for a foul .
On the quarter hour Kristian Pedersen made a forging run and found Jutkiewicz in the box .
The former Sky Blues ’ striker hit a low shot which ran straight through to Marosi .
The ‘ hosts ’ only chance of the opening period came midway through when neat work in the left of the box found Jordan Shipley - who in turn poked straight at Lee Camp .
Jude Bellingham had a snapshot from 20 yards on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolutely unchanged at the break .
The second period was just as scrappy - although it was edged by Coventry .
Not before Montero had forced a sharp 47th minute save out of Marosi though .
After that the Sky Blues pressed their Championship opponents back , without really cutting them open .
Zain Westbrooke had a long range effort just before the hour - and the clearest chance of the game came in the 77th minute .
Mark Robins ’ men worked Max Biamou free in the area and the striker tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The goalkeeper was alert and pushed aside .

Birmingham City and Coventry City must replay one of the most unusual cup ties of recent years after a goalless draw at St Andrew’s.
Landlord and tenant could not be separated in a scrappy affair that failed to live up to the pre-match hype. They will get another opportunity at the same venue.
But it could have been so different had Coventry’s Aston Villa loanee Callum O’Hare not somehow missed an open goal from a yard out with the game in stoppage time.
Pep Clotet named a strong starting line-up, albeit on that showed five changes from the midweek draw in Middlesbrough.
Harlee Dean, Ivan Sunjic, Josh McEachran, Jefferson Montero and Jude Bellingham were all back in the starting line-up.
And as you might expect Blues had the better of the first half exchanges, without showing the requisite quality to affect the scoreline.
Most of what Blues did produce fell to Lukas Jutkiewicz, indeed he had the ball in the net in the fourth minute.
Kerim Mrabti crossed from the right but allowed Marko Marosi to claim under pressure from Jutkiewicz.
The Coventry goalkeeper lost the ball and dropped it over his line but the referee flagged for a foul.
On the quarter hour Kristian Pedersen made a forging run and found Jutkiewicz in the box.
The former Sky Blues’ striker hit a low shot which ran straight through to Marosi.
The ‘hosts’ only chance of the opening period came midway through when neat work in the left of the box found Jordan Shipley - who in turn poked straight at Lee Camp.
Jude Bellingham had a snapshot from 20 yards on the half hour but the scoreline remained resolutely unchanged at the break.
The second period was just as scrappy - although it was edged by Coventry.
Not before Montero had forced a sharp 47th minute save out of Marosi though.
After that the Sky Blues pressed their Championship opponents back, without really cutting them open.
Zain Westbrooke had a long range effort just before the hour - and the clearest chance of the game came in the 77th minute.
Mark Robins’ men worked Max Biamou free in the area and the striker tried to curl his effort around Lee Camp. The goalkeeper was alert and pushed aside.


birminghammail--2020-01-25--Aston Villa promotion hero finds new club after 'amateurish' release

Fleetwood Town have today announced the signing of a former Aston Villa player .
Following the 'amateurish ' termination of his contract at Hearts earlier this month , Glenn Whelan has been unveiled as the latest member of the 'Trawlermen ' and will join until the end of the season .
Whelan helped lead Villa to promotion last season before being released by the club - but it has been a tough time since he left Villa Park .
In an interview with the Irish Independent , Whelan states that the club who picked him up following his Villa exit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bus . ''
Things went downhill for Whelan when former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel arrived at the club .
`` When the new manager came in , the first person he spoke to was me .
He was already having a bit of a go . ''
It did n't end well at Hearts either .
Whelan was let go via an email from administration staff at the club in an 'amateurish ' move according to the former Villa man .
`` I got an email from someone at the club with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign so we could go our separate ways . ''
`` It was all very amateurish from their side . ''
This is your round up of all things Villa ; the one-stop shop that will keep you updated on the latest goings on at the club and beyond .
Transfers , injuries , match-days and managers , we ’ ve got you covered .
We ’ ll be bringing the very latest on the Villains throughout the week and around the clock .
Make sure you keep yourself updated with our handy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villa deals bubbling away before transfer deadline day - READ • Why Aston Villa maverick Douglas Luiz leapt into the Holte End - READ For all your latest AVFC news , opinion , analysis and transfer gossip , click here You can follow our Villa reporter Ashley Preece on Twitter , and his email address is ashley.preece @ reachplc.com However , his new boss is very happy to see him arrive at the club .
“ Glenn is hungry to play and we ’ re sure that he will bring the qualities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our group , '' said Fleetwood manager Joey Barton .
`` We lost some experience in this window with Peter Clarke leaving to join Tranmere , so to bring someone in like Glenn who has been the captain of his country , is really important for our squad .
“ This is an exciting signing for the club , and we look forward to seeing him in action.
” Whelan will wear the number 12 at Fleetwood and help Barton chase down a play-off place .

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Fleetwood Town have today announced the signing of a former Aston Villa player.
Following the 'amateurish' termination of his contract at Hearts earlier this month, Glenn Whelan has been unveiled as the latest member of the 'Trawlermen' and will join until the end of the season.
Whelan helped lead Villa to promotion last season before being released by the club - but it has been a tough time since he left Villa Park.
In an interview with the Irish Independent, Whelan states that the club who picked him up following his Villa exit, Hearts, "threw him under the bus."
Things went downhill for Whelan when former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel arrived at the club.
"When the new manager came in, the first person he spoke to was me. He was already having a bit of a go."
It didn't end well at Hearts either. Whelan was let go via an email from administration staff at the club in an 'amateurish' move according to the former Villa man.
"I got an email from someone at the club with the contract details, asking me to sign so we could go our separate ways."
"It was all very amateurish from their side."
However, his new boss is very happy to see him arrive at the club.
“Glenn is hungry to play and we’re sure that he will bring the qualities that everyone knows he is capable of into our group," said Fleetwood manager Joey Barton.
(Image: PA)
"We lost some experience in this window with Peter Clarke leaving to join Tranmere, so to bring someone in like Glenn who has been the captain of his country, is really important for our squad.
“This is an exciting signing for the club, and we look forward to seeing him in action.”
Whelan will wear the number 12 at Fleetwood and help Barton chase down a play-off place.


birminghammail--2020-01-26--Video reveals shocking damage caused by devastating factory blaze in Halesowen

A shocking video has revealed the devastating damage to a factory unit in Halesowen which was destroyed in a fire .
Forty firefighters tackled the flames at the site on Hayseech Road , at 11.30am on Saturday , January 25 .
Footage released by West Midlands Fire Service exposed the charred shell of the former unit as the flames continued to pump thick black smoke into the air - You can watch the video at the top of the article .
Residents were warned to keep their windows and doors closed to protect them from the smoke .
Witness Alexandra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We saw smoke halfway down Fairmile Road about 11.20am .
My Dad lives at the top end of the road so I went up to check .
`` I could feel the heat straight away , there were horrific high flames and awful black smoke spreading for miles .
`` The roof of the unit had gone and the corrugated roof melted .
Lots of people stopped to take photos .
`` There hasn ’ t been anything that bad in the 40 years I ’ ve been lived nearby . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` It was accidental involving an electrical cutting machine confirmed by the fire investigator on scene . ''
West Midlands Fire Service said the baze involved an electrical cutting machine and was accidental .
To keep up-to-date with crime in your community , join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area .
Keep up-to-date with all things Dudley on our Dudley Live Facebook page - where you 'll get the latest news , travel , weather @ @ @ @ @ @

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A shocking video has revealed the devastating damage to a factory unit in Halesowen which was destroyed in a fire.
Forty firefighters tackled the flames at the site on Hayseech Road, at 11.30am on Saturday, January 25.
Footage released by West Midlands Fire Service exposed the charred shell of the former unit as the flames continued to pump thick black smoke into the air - You can watch the video at the top of the article.
(Image: Northfield Fire)
Residents were warned to keep their windows and doors closed to protect them from the smoke.
Witness Alexandra Firkins, told Black Country Live: "We saw smoke halfway down Fairmile Road about 11.20am. My Dad lives at the top end of the road so I went up to check.
"I could feel the heat straight away, there were horrific high flames and awful black smoke spreading for miles.
"The roof of the unit had gone and the corrugated roof melted. Lots of people stopped to take photos.
"There hasn’t been anything that bad in the 40 years I’ve been lived nearby."
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "It was accidental involving an electrical cutting machine confirmed by the fire investigator on scene."
West Midlands Fire Service said the baze involved an electrical cutting machine and was accidental.
To keep up-to-date with crime in your community, join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area.
Keep up-to-date with all things Dudley on our Dudley Live Facebook page - where you'll get the latest news, travel, weather and events in your area.


birminghammail--2020-01-26--'How painful' - national media verdict on West Brom, Slaven Bilic and FA Cup win

West Bromwich Albion knocked out Premier League opposition in round four of the FA Cup on Saturday .
The Baggies made the trip to the capital to take on West Ham United , with Slaven Bilic making the return to the London Stadium .
It was the Croat who was smiling at full-time , with Conor Townsend ’ s first-half strike the difference in a 1-0 victory .
Here ’ s how the national media reported it ... Slaven Bilic enjoyed a winning return to London Stadium as a dismal performance by West Ham saw them crash out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Brom side .
The Croat , facing the Hammers for the first time since they sacked him 2017 , told Match of the Day afterwards : `` Every time you come back to a place you have so many good emotions about , of course you want to do well .
`` So it is great for us , for me personally and for Dicksy [ West Ham cult hero Julian Dicks , his assistant ] .
`` Did it feel a bit sweeter to win here ?
Yes , a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not that I am sour or that I had a point to prove here .
I just wanted to win .
`` We big-time deserved it .
It was a great performance by us - a complete one . ''
Conor Townsend 's rasping early strike proved enough to send the Baggies through to the fifth round , although the Championship leaders had enough chances to win by a much bigger margin .
West Ham offered little in response , even after West Brom had defender Semi Ajayi sent off for his second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss David Moyes had named a strong line-up but his side took until the 90th minute - when Declan Rice tested Jonathan Bond from distance - to muster a shot on target , In contrast , West Brom were a constant threat while they had 11 men , with Charlie Austin twice going close and Kyle Edwards also testing Darren Randolph .
Slaven Bilic was sacked by West Ham in November 2017 as the club 's owners felt change was necessary in order to move forward positively .
How painful it must have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan , even watching on from the comfortable seats in the directors ' box , to see Bilic return to West Ham and show it his new side , Championship leaders West Brom , who are heading in the right direction .
And , potentially , the opposite one to West Ham , now led by the Croatian 's successor David Moyes .
With a second string team and 10 men for the final 22 minutes , West Brom dumped West Ham out of the FA Cup in a bit of sweet revenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 94 minutes that unfolded at the London Stadium on a desperate and depressing afternoon for the east Londoners this was not the cup surprise that these two club 's respective divisions would suggest it was .
In an especially-worrying first half for Moyes , West Brom looked like the top-flight side , and certainly one-in-waiting .
They were better , quicker , more composed on the ball , a cohesive football unit and comfortably had the superior players .
David Sullivan and David Gold can not ignore the evidence piling up before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utter mess and the clock is ticking .
The transfer window shuts on Friday and David Moyes , who wore a rather haunted look at the end of his side ’ s latest defeat , needs signings .
West Ham ’ s manager requires a right-back , a midfielder and a striker .
Sullivan and Gold must reach into their pockets or face the likelihood of relegation from the Premier League .
West Bromwich Albion barely had to break stride to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup , even though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost Semi Ajayi to a red card in the closing stages .
Conor Townsend scored the only goal to ensure that Slaven Bilic emerged victorious on his return to this sad , soulless ground , where the disgruntled locals had to wait until the 89th minute for West Ham to muster a shot on target .
Pacing around his technical area , Bilic must have been relieved that the groans floating down from the stands for much of the first half were no longer his problem .
The Croatian knows how quickly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week after an estimated 900 West Ham supporters held a protest against the club ’ s deeply unpopular board , the atmosphere was poisonous once West Brom took a deserved early lead .
West Brom had threatened even before Townsend lashed them in front in the ninth minute .
Kyle Edwards , impressing on the left flank , had forced Darren Randolph to tip wide from 20 yards .
Matt Phillips , running at an exposed back four after the disappointing Declan Rice lost possession to the 38-year-old Gareth Barry , almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atrocious and they cracked when Austin found space on the edge of the area .
Carlos Sánchez ’ s tackle hit Issa Diop and when the ball ran to Townsend , the West Brom left-back had time to take a touch and ping a rising drive past Randolph .
West Bromwich Albion ’ s infamous ‘ Boiler Man ’ may have lost the half-time mascot race to West Ham United ’ s ‘ Hammerhead ’ , but one suspects he could have given midfielder Carlos Sanchez a run for his money .
Sanchez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Moyes hooked at half-time , but it did not prevent West Ham being dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship leaders West Brom .
Former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic , who did not celebrate his side ’ s goal , fielded a virtual reserve team and West Brom played the final 20 minutes with 10 men .
Even so , West Ham did not even manage a shot on target before the 85th minute .
It was Sanchez who had helped to conspire to allow West Brom to score what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball straight into the path of Conor Townsend , who beat goalkeeper Darren Randolph with a well-struck angled shot .
Sanchez was the worst of a very , very bad bunch - so bad in fact that Moyes admitted that he wished he could have taken off half of his team at the break .
When it was put to Moyes that he must have been pretty angry to make three half-time substitutions , the Scot said : “ Yeah , I think I could have probably made a couple more if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been five or six .
“ I just thought we passed the ball away , kicked the ball out of the pitch , we didn ’ t have any control of the game at the time in any way .
So I wanted to see if I could do something that would make a difference .
I think it got better , the second half got much better , but we didn ’ t manufacture anything that was clear-cut.
” Slaven Bilic dumped his former club out of the FA Cup as West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the London Stadium .
Bilic , sacked by the Hammers in 2017 , came back to haunt them , with his Championship pace-setters running out deserved winners thanks to Conor Townsend 's early strike .
Gallingly for West Ham , this was pretty much their strongest available line-up while Bilic made eight changes to his - the Croatian 's priority lying with the promotion race .
Not only that , but Albion also played the final 18 minutes with 10 men after Semi Ajayi was sent off for a second booking .

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West Bromwich Albion knocked out Premier League opposition in round four of the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Baggies made the trip to the capital to take on West Ham United, with Slaven Bilic making the return to the London Stadium.
It was the Croat who was smiling at full-time, with Conor Townsend’s first-half strike the difference in a 1-0 victory.
Here’s how the national media reported it...
BBC
Slaven Bilic enjoyed a winning return to London Stadium as a dismal performance by West Ham saw them crash out of the FA Cup at the hands of his West Brom side.
The Croat, facing the Hammers for the first time since they sacked him 2017, told Match of the Day afterwards: "Every time you come back to a place you have so many good emotions about, of course you want to do well.
(Image: Adam Fradgley/AMA)
"So it is great for us, for me personally and for Dicksy [West Ham cult hero Julian Dicks, his assistant].
"Did it feel a bit sweeter to win here? Yes, a bit to be fair, but it is not that I am sour or that I had a point to prove here. I just wanted to win.
"We big-time deserved it. It was a great performance by us - a complete one."
Conor Townsend's rasping early strike proved enough to send the Baggies through to the fifth round, although the Championship leaders had enough chances to win by a much bigger margin.
West Ham offered little in response, even after West Brom had defender Semi Ajayi sent off for his second booking with 18 minutes remaining.
Hammers boss David Moyes had named a strong line-up but his side took until the 90th minute - when Declan Rice tested Jonathan Bond from distance - to muster a shot on target,
In contrast, West Brom were a constant threat while they had 11 men, with Charlie Austin twice going close and Kyle Edwards also testing Darren Randolph.
MORE HERE
DAILY MAIL
Slaven Bilic was sacked by West Ham in November 2017 as the club's owners felt change was necessary in order to move forward positively.
How painful it must have been then for David's Gold and Sullivan, even watching on from the comfortable seats in the directors' box, to see Bilic return to West Ham and show it his new side, Championship leaders West Brom, who are heading in the right direction.
And, potentially, the opposite one to West Ham, now led by the Croatian's successor David Moyes.
With a second string team and 10 men for the final 22 minutes, West Brom dumped West Ham out of the FA Cup in a bit of sweet revenge for Bilic.
On the basis of the 94 minutes that unfolded at the London Stadium on a desperate and depressing afternoon for the east Londoners this was not the cup surprise that these two club's respective divisions would suggest it was.
In an especially-worrying first half for Moyes, West Brom looked like the top-flight side, and certainly one-in-waiting.
They were better, quicker, more composed on the ball, a cohesive football unit and comfortably had the superior players.
MORE HERE
THE GUARDIAN
David Sullivan and David Gold cannot ignore the evidence piling up before their eyes. West Ham are an utter mess and the clock is ticking. The transfer window shuts on Friday and David Moyes, who wore a rather haunted look at the end of his side’s latest defeat, needs signings. West Ham’s manager requires a right-back, a midfielder and a striker. Sullivan and Gold must reach into their pockets or face the likelihood of relegation from the Premier League.
West Bromwich Albion barely had to break stride to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, even though the Championship’s pacesetters rotated heavily and lost Semi Ajayi to a red card in the closing stages. Conor Townsend scored the only goal to ensure that Slaven Bilic emerged victorious on his return to this sad, soulless ground, where the disgruntled locals had to wait until the 89th minute for West Ham to muster a shot on target.
(Image: Adam Fradgley/AMA)
Pacing around his technical area, Bilic must have been relieved that the groans floating down from the stands for much of the first half were no longer his problem. The Croatian knows how quickly the mood can turn ugly here and, a week after an estimated 900 West Ham supporters held a protest against the club’s deeply unpopular board, the atmosphere was poisonous once West Brom took a deserved early lead.
West Brom had threatened even before Townsend lashed them in front in the ninth minute. Kyle Edwards, impressing on the left flank, had forced Darren Randolph to tip wide from 20 yards. Matt Phillips, running at an exposed back four after the disappointing Declan Rice lost possession to the 38-year-old Gareth Barry, almost released Charlie Austin.
West Ham were atrocious and they cracked when Austin found space on the edge of the area.
Carlos Sánchez’s tackle hit Issa Diop and when the ball ran to Townsend, the West Brom left-back had time to take a touch and ping a rising drive past Randolph.
MORE HERE
TELEGRAPH
West Bromwich Albion’s infamous ‘Boiler Man’ may have lost the half-time mascot race to West Ham United’s ‘Hammerhead’, but one suspects he could have given midfielder Carlos Sanchez a run for his money.
Sanchez was one of three players furious manager David Moyes hooked at half-time, but it did not prevent West Ham being dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship leaders West Brom.
Former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic, who did not celebrate his side’s goal, fielded a virtual reserve team and West Brom played the final 20 minutes with 10 men. Even so, West Ham did not even manage a shot on target before the 85th minute.
It was Sanchez who had helped to conspire to allow West Brom to score what proved to be the winner, deflecting the ball straight into the path of Conor Townsend, who beat goalkeeper Darren Randolph with a well-struck angled shot.
Sanchez was the worst of a very, very bad bunch - so bad in fact that Moyes admitted that he wished he could have taken off half of his team at the break.
When it was put to Moyes that he must have been pretty angry to make three half-time substitutions, the Scot said: “Yeah, I think I could have probably made a couple more if I was allowed. It could have been five or six.
“I just thought we passed the ball away, kicked the ball out of the pitch, we didn’t have any control of the game at the time in any way. So I wanted to see if I could do something that would make a difference. I think it got better, the second half got much better, but we didn’t manufacture anything that was clear-cut.”
MORE HERE
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SKY SPORTS
Slaven Bilic dumped his former club out of the FA Cup as West Brom sank woeful West Ham 1-0 at the London Stadium.
Bilic, sacked by the Hammers in 2017, came back to haunt them, with his Championship pace-setters running out deserved winners thanks to Conor Townsend's early strike.
Gallingly for West Ham, this was pretty much their strongest available line-up while Bilic made eight changes to his - the Croatian's priority lying with the promotion race.
Not only that, but Albion also played the final 18 minutes with 10 men after Semi Ajayi was sent off for a second booking.
MORE HERE


birminghammail--2020-01-26--'Worth it' - Aston Villa fans split over latest transfer update

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been linked with a move to Aston Villa .
The Serbian forward is reportedly free to leave the Cottagers if they fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season , due to an option in his contract .
That option is said to be a lower price than the off-putting valuation of £40m that is on him for this window , according to the Daily Star .
A January move of £40m seems steep and unlikely for Villa– but goalscorers do come at a premium .
Here ’ s what the Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter and Facebook pages ... @ green_raqeeb : I don ’ t blame them , they know he is not worth that much , but they need him so it will deter any suitors !
I ’ d welcome the signing though for the right price and Benrahma or Bowen and I ’ d say that would be a successful January !
@ ksten79 : Another striker who needs to find a level between the Premier league and the Championship !
Too god for one not good enough for the other .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both him and a club like Fulham .
@ ShedsVilla : No thanks not at that price .
@ dinglusk : £40m for what ?
He got relegated .
@ stebuk15 : At a glance his Prem record is 77 games 21 goals .
40mill for not far off a goal every 4 games ?
?
No thanks .
Like Gayle great Championship player not Prem standard .
Paul Druce : No thanks , wasn ’ t good enough with Fulham last season in the Premier League .
Jamie Daysley : Nope £40m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Walker : Well over priced for a championship player , especially when you consider Spurs only wanted to pay 35mill for Jack last year .
Oliver James : Worth it , get him signed !

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Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been linked with a move to Aston Villa.
The Serbian forward is reportedly free to leave the Cottagers if they fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season, due to an option in his contract.
That option is said to be a lower price than the off-putting valuation of £40m that is on him for this window, according to the Daily Star.
A January move of £40m seems steep and unlikely for Villa– but goalscorers do come at a premium.
(Image: Getty)
Here’s what the Villa fans made of the reports on our Twitter and Facebook pages...
@green_raqeeb: I don’t blame them, they know he is not worth that much, but they need him so it will deter any suitors! I’d welcome the signing though for the right price and Benrahma or Bowen and I’d say that would be a successful January!
@ksten79: Another striker who needs to find a level between the Premier league and the Championship ! Too god for one not good enough for the other.
@Tash_Hussain: 40mil is a joke for both him and a club like Fulham.
@ShedsVilla: No thanks not at that price.
@IAMSOUNDO: Worth the risk.
@dinglusk: £40m for what? He got relegated.
@miningbase: A must buy!
@stebuk15: At a glance his Prem record is 77 games 21 goals. 40mill for not far off a goal every 4 games?? No thanks. Like Gayle great Championship player not Prem standard.
Paul Druce: No thanks, wasn’t good enough with Fulham last season in the Premier League.
Jamie Daysley: Nope £40m where does that price come from ?
Paul Walker: Well over priced for a championship player, especially when you consider Spurs only wanted to pay 35mill for Jack last year.
Jamie Proudlove: No chance.
Oliver James: Worth it, get him signed!


birminghammail--2020-01-26--Cow & Gate baby food items from Tesco urgently recalled in 'tampering' scare

Supermarket chain Tesco is urgently recalling a range of baby food because of a tampering alert .
The Food Standards @ @ @ @ @ issued an urgent product recall on Cow & Gate baby food items purchased from Tesco @ @ @ @ @ have been tampered with .
The FSA said Cow & Gate and Tesco are voluntarily @ @ @ @ @ month Cow & Gate baby food jars ( 200g ) sold by Tesco stores `` @ @ @ @ @ .
There are concerns that some of the jars may have been subject to tampering @ @ @ @ @ Cow & Gate , Tesco or other branded baby products are affected .
The products @ @ @ @ @ listed below : Advice issued by the FSA reads : `` Please do not feed @ @ @ @ @ month baby food jars 200g purchased from Tesco to your baby .
Instead return the @ @ @ @ @ purchased it for a full refund .
`` Cow & Gate and Tesco apologise to @ @ @ @ @ inconvenience caused by this recall . ''

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Supermarket chain Tesco is urgently recalling a range of baby food because of a tampering alert.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent product recall on Cow & Gate baby food items purchased from Tesco stores amid fears jars may have been tampered with.
The FSA said Cow & Gate and Tesco are voluntarily recalling 15 varieties of 7+ month Cow & Gate baby food jars (200g) sold by Tesco stores "as a precautionary measure".
There are concerns that some of the jars may have been subject to tampering. However, no other Cow & Gate, Tesco or other branded baby products are affected.
The products which have been recalled are listed below:
Cow & Gate Butternut Squash Chicken & Pasta 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Courgette & Hake Rice 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Yummy Harvest Chicken 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Apple Crumble 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Banana Crumble 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Peach Apple & Kiwi 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Rice Pudding 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Creamy Cauliflower Cheese 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Garden Pea & Turkey 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Potato Spinach & Beef 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Potato & Turkey Roast 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Spaghetti Bolognese 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Succulent Pork Casserole 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Tasty Cottage Pie 7+ months (200g jar)
Cow & Gate Tomato & Courgette Pasta 7+ months (200g jar)
Advice issued by the FSA reads: "Please do not feed any Cow & Gate 7+ month baby food jars 200g purchased from Tesco to your baby. Instead return the product to store where you purchased it for a full refund.
"Cow & Gate and Tesco apologise to parents and carers for any inconvenience caused by this recall."


birminghammail--2020-01-26--Fears as missing man seen leaving Sandwell Hospital on crutches and in green pyjamas

An injured man on crutches and wearing green pyjamas has gone missing from hospital .
The 36-year-old , from Erdington , was also using elbow crutches to help him walk .
Police said he was 'vulnerable ' and were concerned for his welfare .
They believe he may have travelled back to Erdington .
Officers issued a photo of Tison in a desperate bid to find him and urged anyone who sees him to dial 999 .
He is described as slim , 5ft 8 and with short brown hair .
A Birmingham Police appeal , shared on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MISSING | We need your help finding Tison Ensor , who 's gone missing after leaving Sandwell Hospital yesterday ( Friday ) .
`` Tison , 36 , was last seen wearing green hospital pyjamas .
He has a cast on one leg and was using elbow crutches .
`` He 's around 5ft 8ins tall , slim and has short brown hair .
Tison may have travelled back to the Erdington area , where he lives .
`` We 're concerned he 's vulnerable and anyone who sees him should call 999 @ @

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An injured man on crutches and wearing green pyjamas has gone missing from hospital.
Tison Ensor left Sandwell Hospital with a cast on Friday, January 24.
The 36-year-old, from Erdington, was also using elbow crutches to help him walk.
Police said he was 'vulnerable' and were concerned for his welfare.
(Image: WMP)
They believe he may have travelled back to Erdington.
Officers issued a photo of Tison in a desperate bid to find him and urged anyone who sees him to dial 999.
He is described as slim, 5ft 8 and with short brown hair.
A Birmingham Police appeal, shared on Saturday, January 25, read: "#MISSING | We need your help finding Tison Ensor, who's gone missing after leaving Sandwell Hospital yesterday (Friday).
"Tison, 36, was last seen wearing green hospital pyjamas. He has a cast on one leg and was using elbow crutches.
"He's around 5ft 8ins tall, slim and has short brown hair. Tison may have travelled back to the Erdington area, where he lives.
"We're concerned he's vulnerable and anyone who sees him should call 999."


birminghammail--2020-01-26--Aston Villa transfer news live: Defender keen on MLS, 'target' price tag revealed as Dean Smith make

Aston Villa transfer news live: Defender keen on MLS, 'target' price tag revealed as Dean Smith makes claim

Welcome to Sunday 's LIVE Aston Villa coverage , brought to you by BirminghamLive .
After the win over Watford @ @ @ @ @ Leicester City and the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Tuesday .
But before that @ @ @ @ @ remaining for Villa to add to their squad with news signgings .
Louie Barry became @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , the former West Bromwich Albion man joining from Barcelona , and the @ @ @ @ @ impressing for the club 's Under-23s .
He follows Mbwana Samatta , Pepe Reina and @ @ @ @ @ tries to reshape his squad for the battle against the drop .
Krzysztof Piatek continues @ @ @ @ @ , while there are also updates on strikers Serhou Guirassy and Tino Kadewere .
Follow @ @ @ @ @

18:34
Explained: Borja Baston
The Spaniard, 27, will arrive on a short-term deal on a free transfer. Swansea are more than happy to let him go given his contract is set to expire this summer. Here, Swansea City reporter for Wales Online, Ian Mitchelmore, provides the following lowdown, with Villa just taking up the striker’s wages.
It’s worth noting that Baston has the same agent as Pepe Reina while the forward knows Villa’s sporting director Suso from his time in Spain.
(Image: Getty Images)
How has this deal suddenly come about, is Baston out-of-favour at Swans - why?
Borja started the season like a house on fire, scoring five goals in August. But his style has never suited Swansea, and once he struggled again, he lost his place to Sam Surridge, and more recently Rhian Brewster. His sky-high wages are also a huge problem for Swansea, so from a financial point of view, offloading him will be a huge help to the club.
What’s been Baston’s story at Swansea, a big-money signing in 2016... not happened?
He came into a Swansea side that had abandoned their famed style of play and managed just one goal in his debut season at the club, despite being the club-record signing. He had two season-long loans in Spain before returning to the club last summer, but it’s safe to say he’s - pound for pound - one of the worst signings in the club’s history.
What are his strengths/weaknesses?
He’s a pretty good finisher, as he showed in August. His clinical nature was vital as Swansea collected a significant number of points, despite not playing to their full potential. As for weaknesses, he’s not the quickest, so running in behind isn’t an option. He’s not the most mobile either, so he’s not someone you’ll see pressing from the front.
Just how surprised are Swansea given Premier League interest? Can he cut it?
It’s come as a huge surprise. The club have been willing to sell him for some time now in a bid to reduce the wage bill, but after such a woeful scoring record since joining the club, for a Premier League club to come knocking is quite simply astonishing. Can he cut it? He hasn’t at Swansea, but you don’t play for the likes of Atletico Madrid without having something about you.