Privileged to see some important games like Bryan Robsons first reserve match.
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This is all based on what I have heard and read. Johnny Nicholls was at his most effective when playing with Ronnie Allen. Allen was almost unique as a centre forward not being very big but very mobile. One attacking move used under Vic Buckingham was for Allen to sometimes quickly drop deep pulling the the centre half with him and leaving a gap. Nicholls would be playing relatively deep and when this happened he would quickly move forward into the space that had been created. It took some time for this effective tactic to be cottoned onto but when it was Johnny became less of a potent force.
[QUOTE=soulman101;39649816]Used to love go to the Central league games and halftime looking at the scoreboard to see how the ist team was doing, used to get 2 to 3k supporters aswell for some games.[/QUOTE
Same here. Score put up every 15 mins and then waiting behind after the game for the full time score to be phoned through. Another great part of central league games was having a cup of Bovril from the hut behind the old Brummie.
As I previously wrote, my Dad went to Albion one week and Villa the next. One question I wish I had asked is who did you support when they played each other.
Whatever we think of Dowling,Slav and Sam, we have to remember that employment in the game is the same as employment anywhere else.
You are shown your working area and the tools you are expected to work with. You might have some input how some tool's can be upgraded or replaced, but after that you are on your own.
The boss will judge you on results with what you have, not what you would like, and he will sack you if you aren't deemed good enough to work with the equipment given you. Doesn't matter if you are a nice pleasant hill fella and the bloke replacing you is a bit of a rogue.
That's how the world works.
Johnny Nicholls. Have just been looking at West Bromwich Albion by Peter Morris. I quote
The ‚off‘ was simply this: Barlow was to break up an opposing attack, move a stride or so forward and put that long, through ball played low and to Allen‘s feet. Allen would move back to collect it taking the centre half (or at least one defender) with him, trap the ball, pivot and hit the centre-field gap for Nicholls, racing forward as soon as the ball was played, to take in his stride. Nicholl‘s timing was one of the most important factors, Allen‘s instinct for sliding into the open space almost as necessary, and Barlow‘s sudden projection of the Long low ball from defence *****.
Nicholls, his confidence and ability growing as the season advanced, developed into the greatest goal-poachers in the business as a result of this Albion. move which no other club succeeded in countering...