First, I want to aplogize to my one fan, my mother, for not publishing anything on the last three matches. Home decorating left me without a computer. So, back by no demand at all I bring you the West Brom Baggies!
The fight to stay in the Premiership is quite intrigueing. Usually, we don’t see a race so tight between 4 teams, all with a chance to stay. WBA are in 18th, looking up at Palace, though, both have 30 points. Goal differential is key and WBA don’t have the resources to close the 4 goals gap on Palace. They need to fight for each 0-0 draw and that’s how I see them coming at the Gunners.
Their defense is solid and experienced with the likes of Albrechtson, Clement, Wallwork and Scimeca. Purse has been out since February and WBA has done well to keep from missing him. They have done well to keep scoring to a minimum at home, giving away 22 in 17 matches.
The offense is a problem. Kanu did not provide the experienced attack that I thought he would. He seemed to adopt a Bergkamp-role, creating for others and being the catalyst for big plays. This role has never suited him and he has created little this season. Kevin Campbell was bought from Everton in January and I thought he would bring the experienced attack they were looking for. He has managed 3 goals but has been virtually shut down as of late. Earnshaw has proved to be the only shining light in the offense. The 24 y/o Zambian has 13 goals on the season and has helped to pay his record 3.65 million fee.
In the human interest section of this column….Inamoto, the former Japanese Gunner, has been injured and not played much for WBA. He is on loan to Cardiff City and won’t factor in this match.
Robson has done a good job with what little he had. He has instilled pride in this group and ownership tried to bring in the pieces for success. He had the group playing some good football after a 4-1 win against the Addicks was followed by a 1-0 over Everton. They than drew 1-1 to Villa and Spurs and I thought they may dig their way out. The 4-0 drubbing to a sloppy Boro squad and then this weeks let down against Rovers may have killed the chance they had to stay for another year. Arsenal this week and ManU the next should spell 0 points and the Baggies demise.
WBA 0-2 Arsenal
11 Responses to “West Brom-Sorry to see you go”
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April 29th, 2005 at 8:49 am
Actually, Inamoto *was* injured, after he had mostly recovered he was then loaned out to get back to full match fitness. He is now back from loan to Cardiff, has made a couple of first team appearances and will probably be on the bench for this match.
My prediction - a 1-1 draw.
April 29th, 2005 at 9:00 am
Thanks, KY. The fact that predicting nil for our opponents week in week out is something I’m not yet used to. And if we don’t fall asleep against Brom like we did against Norwich, I don’t see anything changing on Monday. We’ll be rested and ready, and Earnshaw is going to have a h*ll of a time getting onto those long balls as he’s an inch shorter than Freddie and Ash. He’s quick, though I don’t think that’s going to be too much of a problem as we’re going to be confusing them in midfield all day. Can you say “offside”?
Will Sol return to partner Senderos in the middle? I hope so. He deserves a game, and I think Kolo’s services have been worthy of a break for more reasons than one. It’ll be interesting to see how they do together, as well. But I do see a couple of stand-out performances in the center of the park, as we’re getting stronger and stronger there with each game. I don’t see any Premiership side competing with the likes of Cesc, Gilberto and Paddy the way they’ve been playing, and I certainly don’t see Brom doing it either.
Reyes to net another confidence booster, probably a sitter that he’ll be happy to oblige this time round, and vP could dazzle again whether he starts or comes on late. In fact, anyone could be due in this tie and I would love to see Cesc get one, or see one from a free-kick of which there will be plenty. I like our new “tactic” against the crowded midfield, where we crowd it more, beat them with precise short passes, and release a through ball. If Reyes stays upright, he could have field day.
We’re due for another rout, but I like 2 ? 0. Both in the first half.
Up the Arse!!!
April 29th, 2005 at 9:52 am
Shame to see you haven’t mentioned WBA’s player of the year Zoltan Gera. Seems like a good player.
Anyway, 0-3 to me.
April 29th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
Can’t see anything other than an Arsenal win. Normally WBA would pack defence and midfield and try to strangle the game hoping for a draw. But if they want to stay up they HAVE to attack. If Arsenal use their brains it should be comfortable.
April 29th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
I’ll go for 0-4. Reyes, Pires, 2 for van P.
April 29th, 2005 at 8:45 pm
I agree with Danny on this one. If West Brom want to stay up they won’t do it drawing 0-0, so they’ll have to go forward & I’ll even give them a goal… I’ll say 3-1, Arsenal. Goals by Reyes, Cole & Senderos
April 29th, 2005 at 9:40 pm
You really are talking total crap.
Inamoto is in our squad - he came back from Cardiff 1 month ago.
Kanu is like Bambi on Ice. He has lost his pace, and was never like Bergkamp.
Campbell is OK, probably played before you were born, though.
Following the sacking of Megson, we are now playing an expansive game, not 5 in defence as you suggest. Indeed, look at the current form table since Christmas, we are ranked 6th.
if you want a realistic view of the game (which i think The Asre will win) goto Arsenal world. Well produced, realistic journalism.
This website is written by a complete wanker who has never seen West Brom play in his life, so he is not qualified to judge.
April 30th, 2005 at 5:59 am
Who do people want to stay up? I’ll miss West Brom but I have a very soft spot for Palace - amazing if they can do it (and a convenient lack of travelling for us). Pity about Blackburn, but maybe next year.
April 30th, 2005 at 8:16 am
Some of the games involving these relegation teams are hugely entertaining. I’d like the Broms to stay up, but can’t see it with their fixture list. The Curse of Christmas continues. (Team at the bottom at Christmas always goes down).
Norwich beat ManU, so that at least deserves them a place. But I also have a soft spot for Palace.
As for Blackburn, well there is a next season. Hughes has done a good job, rescuing them from the bottom, in their brutish, thuggish way.
Brom will have to come at us. We saw last week against Boro what happens when they do that. Or maybe they’ll play for the draw.
April 30th, 2005 at 4:26 pm
Its easy to get sucked into the drama of Redknapp’s and Robson’s careers, as I like them both and would like to see them do well.
But I’d like the Canaries to stay up, as they’ve shown a lot of courage coming from behind and scoring lots of goals (though the argument could be said for both The Saints and Canaries after today’s match). The last thing the league needs is another team who get results that someone has to wake you up to learn about. Unless…their dropping means Bentley returns if we don’t find someone to back up Freddie and we have a shot at Ashton.
Off the path a bit: heard/read we’re now being tied with Lyon’s Gavou. Like the idea, but could Lyon really be considering letting him go?
April 30th, 2005 at 8:39 pm
We could have had three at Boro before they scored.
It was regretable the ex Gooners let us down.
You have sweet FA to play for now, so we fancy our chances.
we are a gpod Prem team, give us respect.