That explains a lot. He has gone down in my estimations even more. I just thought he was a pillock, but now he is a welsh pillock, doesn't get any worse than that.
Have thought we ve been looking slightly dubious defending crosses this season and was fearing this could be a weakness against WBA. So I had a look at the stats . Of the 10 goals we've conceded in 17/18 , two have been from crosses . Both against Man City , Otamendi and another from Aguero , which was offside .
They will have to be a bit more attacking than usual at home but they do seem to be very much a solid break us down sort of side. Big and physical in places but maybe not that quick which might work in our favour.
It'll be interesting to see who he plays at the back with Britos back from suspension and Prodl likely to be back from injury. Kabasele is first choice centre back for me, he's been different class this season and is showing his worth. I would imagine he'll bring Prodl back in. Cleverley has to continue at the top of the midfield, his work rate and underrated quality on the ball are a joy to watch. Pereyra, as mentioned by someone else, still needs to be eased back in. Capoue and Doucoure in the midfield with the usual front three of Carillo, Richarlison and Gray. Would like to see Hughes on the bench and perhaps come on depending on the situation in the game. I think Richarlison versus Nyom is going to be comedy gold! I don't think they'll have a 'Nyom Day' again after Niang ripped him apart last season. Imagine what Richarlison will do to him..... First goal crucial. They're a vile team with a vile manager, don't mind their supporters to be fair. Would love to do 'em 0-3 and hear the away end singing '3-0 to the football team'. Heart says 3-0, head says 1-1 or narrow 0-1. It'll be a tough game.
It was against Burnley and he ruled out a Deeney goal for handball in a game we should have won very comfortably. He also seemed determined to give Leeds a lifeline in a recent FA Cup game which we should have wrapped up in similar fashion. Correct decisions or not, he just seems a very fussy referee who for whatever reason seems determined to make winning games as difficult as possible for us, fortunately they haven't always worked for him!
Integrated back into the squad "well before new year" per fishal. Knee surgery is never good. Hope he comes back as good as new. I had 2 knee ops and haven't played a single premier league game since.
will be interesting to see who's actually fit to play CB on Saturday. Prodl probably best suited to West Brom's style of play. In some ways I'd like to see Pereyra fill in for Chalobah with Cleverley dropping into the deeper role. West Brom have the lowest average possession in the league and I think Pereyra is the best player we have in tight spaces. Zarate or Hughes will presumably make the bench. At the same time I appreciate how good West Brom are at winning 1-0 from set-pieces and think we could use Capoue's height defending them. The Hawthorns is 1 of those grounds I dread us going to, because of how boring ganes are. This could be a difficult game for us and I think we'll likely fall victim to the 1-0 set-piece loss. But I'm gonna try to be optimistic and say 3-1 Watford - Gray, cleverley, Deeney (pen)
Think we'll draw this one. Here's my logic. Season under QSF away at Swansea we lost, last season we drew, this season we won. At West Brom under QSF we won, last season we lost, so that means the result will end in a draw. I do lottery predictions if anyone is interested
I'm waiting for Lawro and that crackhead alcoholic to make some predictions before I make mine on this game, Lawro was my personal favourite last week saying Swansea are terrible at home and Watford very good away, so predicted a Swansea win. Chalobah is going to be a massive loss but on the bright side it's a position we have a few options. I'd personally put Cleverly with Doucoure Carrillo Pererya Richarlison Gray up top but I think HB1 is going to be right same starting xi as Swansea barring no new injuries. I'm going to guess Lawro predicts a score draw and Mersin a home win.
I'm going to predict he goes for a Liverpool win. I don't even know who they're playing. What a ***** that man is.
To be fair, put £15 on a penalty to be awarded last season at home to yoonited, with him in charge and won £80 out of it, probably safer bet if you are gonna do it.
[QUOTE="foxywfc, post: 2574186, member: 70...... Chalobah is going to be a massive loss but on the bright side it's a position we have a few options.....[/QUOTE] You mean we have someone who can play the Chalobah role ?
I tend to watch them more than anyone wants to as my partner and in laws are Baggies . They really are unexciting to watch, I even have a mate who supports West Brom that won't even go and watch them anymore because of the brand of football they play and another mate who has a season ticket there said to me recently that he would rather get relegated playing better football than the mind numbing football that they play at the moment. But as negative as its viewed it is very effective and it does tend to produce the desired result for them. They play 5 at the back and are willing to soak up pressure and give the other side possession and snatch a goal from a set piece or quick counter. For me this is the biggest test away from home that we have had this season simply because there style and physicality but I still think we can get something from the game I wouldn't be too disappointed with a draw but would be ecstatic and a bit smug with a win, I personally think we could do some serious damage if we score first as they will eventually have to come out and play and leave some space and we are a lot better technically and our players are faster.
Draw here sets up a nice buffer for two difficult games after the internationals especially with Chabs injured.
You mean we have someone who can play the Chalobah role ?[/QUOTE] If we had someone who could play the Chalobah role why didn't someone mention this? You'd have thought someone would have at least asked the question in the last four years.
I will gladly take a draw,especially if all our players return with all their limbs intact and pointing the correct way.
Michael Oliver hasn't awarded a penalty in the league this season. Yet. As a side note :- That's why gypsies have got glass babies ............ ............ because they've got crystal balls.
They didn't look too ugly a side second half at the Hawthorns last year in fairness, but I attribute that more to our frequent lack of bottle under Mazzarri. The frustrating thing is when they tried to play a more cultured brand of football at the Vic they came unstuck, yet still finished top 10, so that showed just what our squad was capable of, injuries or no injuries.
If we carry that fast start over from the Swansea game into this one, and get another early goal, they will have little choice but to take the initiative, and that will surely play into our hands. Start slowly and I fear it will be a long afternoons for us. I expressed some doubts to my brother, a Baggies fan, simply because I don't see us winning four away games in a row. He is not at all optimistic of a WBA win, saying that Silva's team is set up perfectly to hurt them. Really not sure how to feel about this one, other than it surely won't be high scoring. 4-4 classic incoming...
Does anybody know what our record is for consecutive away wins in all divisions? If last week was the first time we've won three away in a row in the top flight, presumably we've bettered that in the lower divsions under GT? As well as Pulis' cloggers and Oliver's strong urge to end their penalty drought whilst simultaneously screwing us again - are we also battling against history in terms of getting a win?
The only time I traveled up there it was 4-4! It does seem unlikely this time, though. Fine lines between success and failure, I think, in a close match: Will one of our better players produce a moment of magic to unlock a well-drilled defence and will our defence be able to hold out against their repeated assaults? These are probably the most common thoughts among us. But what if we park the bus, pack the mid-field and play for 0-0 for 70 minutes and then attack them towards the end? Could we do that? Should we do that?
If Deeney is to start any game, it'd be this. Personally I'd bring Hughes in, feel he'll press better than Capoue. Deeney upfront as Hegazi is 6ft2. Hopefully keep it 0-0 and then bring on Gray & Pereyra and try nick the 1-0. Bit of a dangerous plan as if we concede one it might go all wrong. Possibly rest Richarlison, put Pereyra left instead and then bring Rich & Gray on around 70 mins. Rich against a tired Nyom would be lovely. Or Plan B, ask Doccoure & Cleverley to just sit, Richarlison & Carrillo to tuck in a bit and track. Then Deeney take the 3rd CM slot and hopefully he can knock something down for Gray. If you play Deeney & Gray together then West Brom have to end up leaving space for someone surely? Actually whilst typing, Plan B sounds like the better option.
Or reduce the width, pack the midfield and go this. Very unlikely Silva will abandon his formation but yeah just playing around.