[timbergreg]

There's a great one page article on Mr. Hulse in the Nov edition of 442. It's in the back in the Div One coverage.

[DevilDave]

I haven't got my copy yet from the bookstore...I'll be on the lookout for it!

The piece is probably not very long, but can you give us a preview...?

[timbergreg]

It's never easy to bounce straight back to the Premeirship but West Bromwich Albion have made their intentions clear in the opening months of the campaign.
Keeping together the core of the squad that failed inthe top flight, manager Gary Megson added seven players and after an opening day mauling at the hands of Walsall, the Baggies reeled off five straight victories to the race to the top of the table.
Of the new boys, none has matched the impact of striker Rob Hulse whose six goals in six games since the Walsall game have made him a firm favourite at the Hawthorns as he aims to better the 27 goals he scored for Crewe in their sucessful Second Division promotion campaign last season.
Hulse's previous tast of life n the Division One does not hold the fondest of memories-2002-02 ended in relegation with Crewe, and although West Brom offered him an immediate escape route to the Premeirship, Alex boss Dario Gradi insisted the move was not in the best interests of the player.
"I must admit I was a little disappointed no to be given my chance," says Hulse. "But in hindsight another season at Crewe has done me a world of good. In division One, it was a hard slog and chances were few and far between but dropping down a level helped us. We 'out-fottballed' every team we played last season, got our belief back and chances were created for me. I could even experiment on my game. I've come on a great deal."

that's the first third of the piece. Half page photo of him and a half page written. He praises West Brom for basically being a class act.

I'm really glad 442 is giving us a small look into the lower English divisions this season. Pretty cool.

[DevilDave]

Interesting piece. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of it.

I'm not completely certain Hulse would have scored enough for us last season to keep Albion in the top flight, but if he continues or improves the pace he's set in the first months of the season, he will get his opportunity in the Premiership next season.

[timbergreg]

From what I've been reading and fromthe limited Sky Sport recaps on FSW Hulse looks like he's really getting the job done. I'm feeling very optimistic that he and the rest of the Baggies will go top flight next season. I really need to get over to the UK before the end of this season to catch a game. Still waiting for another round of low fare flights to be made available.