[Albion] "This is somewhat of a transition season..."

[Beach Hut]

So if we're mid table this time next season we can legitimately moan, whinge, wet the bed and call for the managers head.
I've already noted the date in the 2026 diary.

Why wait till 2026?

Alot of fans are doing that now.....

 

[WATFORD zero]

Trouble is, some fans expect more and for success to keep on coming and qualification for European competitions being a regular thing. That's just not going to happen for a bit. New manager + new players = no guarantee of success and ups and downs throughout the season.

Like that Bloom fella, his expectations are always way beyond mine. I thought bouncing between the Championship and the Premier was our level (post Amex)

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Like that Bloom fella, his expectations are always way beyond mine

To be fair, I'm sure Tony the fan would love the club to be challenging for the PL title every season. Fortunately, Tony the chairman is a bit more realistic and has a plan – or, more likely, multiple plans.

 

[Questions]

I bet you the term, ‘Transitional Petiod’ was never used last close season. No way Pedro

 

[jcdenton08]

I bet you the term, ‘Transitional Petiod’ was never used last close season. No way Pedro

Do you mean prior to the start of this season, or last season under an established manager who just finished 6th?

If prior to the start of this season, you’re mistaken, as many of us constantly said this to temper expectations and prevent the kind of entitlement we’ve seen from some very outspoken posters here.

If prior to last season under De Zerbi, your post makes no sense whatsoever, because we were in Europe off the back of our best ever finish, ever ever.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I bet you the term, ‘Transitional Petiod’ was never used last close season. No way Pedro

I wouldn't normally say this, but I think you are 100% correct. I doubt many people have used that term, ever...

 

[um bongo molongo]

The problem is we’re likely to always be in transition to a point. Next summer we might be transitioning after selling Baleba, Pedro and/or Mitoma

 

[Frankworthington]

Same old,same.old

He will be saying the same in a years time

 

[jcdenton08]

The problem is we’re likely to always be in transition to a point. Next summer we might be transitioning after selling Baleba, Pedro and/or Mitoma

Yep. This is why I’m always encouraging people to celebrate the successes and live in the moment. It’s why Europe last season was so massive and we made memories to last a lifetime.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I can’t remember who it was but maybe @marlowe (apologies if not) who said on here that it’s always a transitional season. And it almost always is with our model.

The difference is to what extent. And when you’ve spent £200 million, mostly on wingers and 10s with potential, and when you’ve eased out a Serie A and Champions League coach for someone with a season in the German second division then damn right it’s transitional. And it’s all our own choice and doing.

 

[jackanada]

To be fair, I'm sure Tony the fan would love the club to be challenging for the PL title every season. Fortunately, Tony the chairman is a bit more realistic and has a plan – or, more likely, multiple plans.

Tony the gambler lives to beat the odds. In football this is finishing higher than your wage bill suggests you can, and I think we always have.
This also means that even if his other interests gain him Saudi levels of wealth we're not going to go City on winning the title because to win with one of the highest wage bills would not be winning to Tony.
Cheer yourself up by remembering that by a similar metric United are on a long streak of being the most losingest team in history.

 

[chaileyjem]

other things Barber has said recently

 

[jcdenton08]

other things Barber has said recently View attachment 196654

Still accurate. 5th round of the cup and not out of European contention. It’s been a decent season so far.

 

[BadFish]

Any chance of a quick summary - or even a cut and paste job - for those of us who have not signed up for FB, and have no intention of doing so?

We are in a transition season.

 

[chaileyjem]

Still accurate. 5th round of the cup and not out of European contention. It’s been a decent season so far.

Of course - it’s the idea that saying it’s a “transitional season” is some admittance of a lack of ambition or self inflicted failure. (Barber has reiterated the steep on pitch targets in multiple other interviews this season)

But It’s just a fact given the squad turnover and a new coach.

 

[chaileyjem]

Any chance of a quick summary - or even a cut and paste job - for those of us who have not signed up for FB, and have no intention of doing so?

 

[GT49er]

We are in a transition season.

A slightly slower one, perhaps?

 

[GT49er]

Thank you.

 

[Steve in Japan]

Might just be me, but hearing Barber talk about Chelsea as "one of our best customers" makes me feel a bit sick. It's correct in £ terms, but nobody follows the Albion because we're a reliable feeder club for Chelsea. He's a bit too f***ing slick sometimes. Clever, but not a lot of emotional intelligence.

 

[jcdenton08]

Might just be me, but hearing Barber talk about Chelsea as "one of our best customers" makes me feel a bit sick. It's correct in £ terms, but nobody follows the Albion because we're a reliable feeder club for Chelsea. He's a bit too f***ing slick sometimes. Clever, but not a lot of emotional intelligence.

I thought it was funny. We got ridiculous fees for Sanchez, Cucurella and Caicedo. He’s saying it like casinos have their “favourite customers” - the ones who give them shit loads of money for minimal return.

Maybe we could start offering a free buffet and comp their hotel rooms at the Jury’s Inn next time.