Members

The Numbers Game – 2014/15 Review – Pulis’ West Brom

We continue our members articles looking back at last season with a review of West Brom’s displays under Tony Pulis. The Welshman took the helm after Alan Irvine was sacked – with the Baggies lying 16th in the Premier League on December 30 – and ultimately steered them to a 13th-placed finish, a full nine points clear of the drop zone. We’ll compare the attacking numbers from both managers’ spells in charge, and assess the similarities and differences in the statistics.

Irvine was a surprise appointment ahead of the 2014/15 season, having endured difficult spells in charge at Preston and Sheffield Wednesday. After managing a mere four wins from Albion’s first 19 matches, the Scot was relieved of his duties, with Pulis taking over on January 1, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. Under the former Stoke and Crystal Palace boss, the Baggies secured seven victories from 18 matches, including wins against Man United and Chelsea in the final months of the season.

2,121 Comments Post a Comment
  1. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Best 4.5M for Sunderland defence????

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I know thing it is Coates. But wait till we see the line-up for their last friendly tomorrow.

      1. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        *I now think.

        I know no-thing.

    2. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure, alot of rotation during pre season

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      O'Shea

    4. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      O'shea > Kaboul > Jones > Coates in my opinion.

  2. Lingardium Leviosa.
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Graziano fookin Pelle!!!

  3. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Won't be touching them for a few weeks but I'm sure one of the defenders will become a fixture.

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Talking about West Brom obviously. 🙂

    2. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Yep! Tempting to carry Lescott from the start, but I'll probably grab one on the WC instead.

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Rugy Gestede to villa official

    https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/627131616972943360

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      £5.5m?

  5. Bad Seed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    What does Chadli is GOAT mean?

    1. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Greatest Of All Time

      1. Bad Seed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. Well, clearly.

    2. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Loves to munch on grass.

      He may be able to produce copious amounts of milk as well.

      Dunno

  6. clownbot2000
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Would a had Kaboul ahead of O'Shea myself

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      not nailed

    2. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Same...I think that'll happen eventually but the captain may start the season while Kaboul beds in. I expect Coates to start.

  7. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Who would you slot in there then?

    Azpi Kosc Huth Francis XXX

    1. olidooley
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Ruddy/Butty as keepers btw

      1. olidooley
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        For 4.5M too I mean

    2. mdm
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      O'Shea

  8. Mull
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Azpi got rotated last year with Luis. It won't happen too often but the guy they've bought today will get a few games throughout the year. It's nothing to worry about though.

    1. Feeling_blue
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      In the first half of the season he'll likely just play cup matches. If he plays well he could get league time

    2. Demí
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers Mull. What do you make of James Milner and Jordan Henderson?

        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          🙂

  9. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Please help me pick...

    A. Kane and Pelle

    B. Giroud and Benteke

    No other players from any of these teams.

    1. mdm
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. The_Socca_Philosopha
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks guys

  10. mdm
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on this team:

    Ruddy / Butland
    Azpi / O'shea / Huth / Francis/ Saylor
    Hazard / Sterling / Walcott / Hendo / Wanyama
    Rooney / Kane / Sakho

    Thank you!

    1. Mane Of Steel
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      solid! mayb kane---> pelle and upgrade hendo

  11. Mane Of Steel
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    One of the biggest debates... Ozil, Caz, or Wally. Explain!

    1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Ramsey 😎

    2. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Don't forget Ramsey!!

    3. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Wally for GW1, because we know what he's capable of. Take your pick of the rest when Sanchez returns.

    4. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Ramsey and Wally combo

      1. Mane Of Steel
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        forgot about ol ramboo

    5. mdm
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Ramsey

      1. Mane Of Steel
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        who is playing in the 10 role?

        1. Link
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Ozil

        2. mdm
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Ozil

    6. Link
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Walcott. Goals and GW1 captain

      1. mdm
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        this

    7. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Caz

    8. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Wilshere - I predict that we all have him by October

  12. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Villa sign one of the lads from Rizzle Kicks

  13. Jude Rooney
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Come on Costa

    Back to Rooney/Costa/Benteke strike force and hello to an easier Aguero in strategy

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Rest of team?

  14. tm245
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Berahino, fifth highest scoring forward...one pt behind Pelle and two pts behind Costa.

    1. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Fixtures. Good option from GW5 though.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Agreed, I can see that 6.5m spot being a nice way to catch form and fixtures.

        Cisse Sakho Diouf and Berahino all promising.

      2. Birds of Prey
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        yep Sakho makes more sense at 6.5.IMO

  15. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Jordan Amavi, Jordan Ayew, Jordan Veretout.

    Villa's on something here...

    1. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Apparently they also have Jordan Bowery and a Jordan Graham under contract. You are correct, that is a pattern.

      1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Not anymore. Jordan Bowery joined Rotherham permanently.

  16. Reedy
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Which is the 'good' Ayew? 🙂

    I know one of the brothers is supposed to be more attacking but I forget which.

    1. Link
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Andre I think.

      1. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Ta Link

    2. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Andre. Jordan is terrible

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Expect good things from Andre, tempted to make him my 4th midfielder. Or is Siggy still the better pick?

        1. Francescoli
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Siggy for assists. Andre will bag more goals. At marseille he played up front on the left hand side of a 433 and regularly found the net. he is a tough player and he will adapt well to the EPL. I'd probably go Siggy for the time being.

      2. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Ignore the Villa striker then...that shouldn't be too hard to remember. Cheers Jeanz!

  17. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    A or B?

    (A)
    Schmeichel (Schwarzer)
    IVANOVIC, MERTE, Huth (O'Shea, Targett)
    Hazard, Sterling, HENDERSON, Cazorla (Fletcher)
    COSTA, Pelle, Sakho

    (B)
    Schmeichel (Schwarzer)
    KOSCIELNY, AZPLI, Huth (O'Shea, Targett)
    Hazard, Sterling, MANE/COUTINHO, Cazorla (Fletcher)
    ROONEY, Pelle, Sakho

    1. Inanimate Carbon Rod
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B with mane, for me. I like Coutinho but not sure he's featured in preseason yet...he's probably fine to start but it would make me slightly cautious.

      1. Francescoli
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        thanks reedy. keep wavering on these last selections...

    3. Big Sum
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      (B)

  18. Inanimate Carbon Rod
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Have to get this off my chest, but what the hell is the obsession with leaving money in the bank for so many people on here? Weighing possibly saving 4 points against fielding a full price/close to full price team that's probably going to cover those points anyway just baffles me.

    0.5 left, 1.0 max = handy
    2-3.5 left = silly

    1. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Each to their own surely........not a fan myself but let them get on with it. We will all probably have money in the bank at some point in the season.

      1. Inanimate Carbon Rod
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Of course and if it feels good do it, I just wonder how those teams would fare against their other, hypothetical free spending alternates

  19. Catilo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Apart from saylor and targett, is there another 4.0 defender that will likely to start the first 3 GW??

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Baker is most owned 4.0

      1. Catilo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        OMG can't believe I missed that info! Cheers mate

        Looking for budget enabler myself, planning on two 4.0 defs that (hopefully) will never come on as subtitute, at least until WC time.

  20. GoRedz
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Given fixtures & form, would you be happy to start with Pelle + Kane + Wilson ?
    And upgrading one of Kane/Pelle to Kun when necessary.

  21. samuelessien
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Any chance someone could RMT? Planning to WC in week 3/4 to bring in Aguero.

    Mignolet (Shwarzer)

    Azpilicueta, Koscielney, Huth. (Ward, O'Shea)

    Hazard, Cazorla, Ozil, Depay. (King)

    Kane, Pelle, Wilson.

    1. GoRedz
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      you apparently answered my question just above.
      I like it a lot, it's well balanced. I'd try to fit in Sterling but I understand the double ARS as well.

      1. samuelessien
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Feel arsenals fixtures are better than ManC, hence the double up instead of Sterling.
        Man city fixtures are good after week 3/4 so then I bring Aguero in and possible double up with Sterling - depending on how he looks in the first three!

        1. GoRedz
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          looks good then. You probably dont need to WC to get Kun, with the money left over, no ?
          Caz/Ozil/Depay->7.0 and Kane -> Kun seems doable

  22. Feeling_blue
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Who will score more points first 5 weeks:

    A Chadli (mun, STO, lei, EVE, sun)
    B Milner (sto, BOU, ars, WHM, mun)

    1. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Your guess as good as any bodies surely

      1. Feeling_blue
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        I keep changing my mind on all my players...

        1. Jude Rooney
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          So do I but at the end of the day these are your decisions to make

    2. The Chosen One...
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Chad

  23. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Which one will keep more cs in first 4?

    Darmian (TOT, avl, NEW, swa)

    Merte (WH, cry, liv, new)

    1. Feeling_blue
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Darmian

    2. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Your guess as good as any bodies surely?

    3. The Chosen One...
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Mert

  24. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    do people intend on having 15 DGW's for the BB chip?

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Surely not

      1. The Chosen One...
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        surely that means there is no advantage playing it in a DGW?

        1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Surely

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, but that would need a WC before it, and there could be a blank GW right before it, so it would be difficult.

    3. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Certainly close to that if we get a DGW with 6 teams.

    4. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      If it falls right then yes

  25. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    A or B guys?

    A) Henderson Kane Sakho Francis

    B) Ozil Benteke Wilson Williams

    1. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. KKluigi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

  26. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Villa are spending big this transfer window

    Around £42mil now 😯 even with the Benteke/ Delph transfers,I'm surprised that the club have allowed Sherwood to reinvest so much

    1. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      and some questionable signings... jordan ayew is worth 3 million euros max

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Three Jordans signed this window, unless they got the names mixed up when bidding 😆

        1. Francescoli
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          🙂

          Veretout is really promising (although probably not ready to make an impact this year) and Amavi is strong too. they are two decent signings.

    2. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I'd be surprised if Sherwood hadn't stipulated this before taking the job.

      He was always going to spend in his first transfer window, no?

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Definitely I just didn't think the board would've given him 100% of the revenue brought in from player sales

        1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          I would have thought that he would have been guaranteed the cash regardless of sales

    3. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      They've basically spent nothing.

      They're not stupid, they have to spend to stay in the PL.

    4. GoRedz
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      well, staying another year in premier league means an extra 99M pounds.
      More than any other european league champion would get.
      It is very messed up, but they need to try something if they want to stay there.

    5. GoRedz
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      veretout and jordan ayew are both penalty specialists. At least they are covered for that 🙂

  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    a) Ritchie, Bentelab, Pelle (3-4-3, Sakho as 3rd striker)
    b) Mane, Bentelab, Wilson (3-4-3, Sakho as 2nd striker)
    c) Mane, Ritchie, Ighalo (3-5-2, Sakho as 2nd striker)

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. KKluigi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

  28. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    who is on pens? Lukaku or Barkley?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Lukakaaa

    2. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Lukaku

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Trollkaku

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Lukakaaaa

  29. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    So I think my team comes down to these decisions now:

    A) Milner
    B) Henderson

    X) Deeney
    Y) Wilson

    Currently on AY... First to 3 seals the deal for me?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Ay

    2. GoRedz
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      AY

    3. PurpleCobras
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      AY makes it three

  30. Igic97
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Please RMT playing 4 in the back almost always
    Ruddy Butland
    Azpi Kos Cedric PVA Huth
    Hazard Walcott Ozil Milner Fletcher
    Rooney Pelle Wilson

    Cedric and PVA or
    Fonte/Bertrand and Oshea?

    1. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      the team looks solid.
      Cedric and PVA by far, higher chance of getting assists

    2. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      PvA > 4.5 from NOR they rotate with a bunch. Sunderland look shaky and PvA is a 5.0.
      don't double up SOU w/Bertrand right now. IMO GL