West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Watford FC - 30/09/2017

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This Saturday's opposition are West Brom, a crudely effective team of anti-football cloggers, happy to exist in the mid to lower regions of the Premier League, whilst eschewing any notion of the beautiful game. The best that their long-suffering fans can hope for is that once or twice a season they sucker punch one of the fancy dan big clubs with one of their famous displays playing with four centre backs and four defensive midfielders in the line up, and launching countless set pieces at the heads of these assorted giants.

Their game plan can best be understood by looking at the passing stats. They play by far the fewest number of passes per game in the league, hoof the most inaccurate long balls but the second least amount of accurate long balls. Their players treat the ball like a hot potato, none of them want it and they're not even particularly bothered about booting it in the general direction of their front man - they'll literally just kick it away anywhere.

Anyway, despite the terrible boredom that West Brom will inevitably attempt to inflict on the game, there are a few interesting sub plots bubbling under. Firstly, there's their two full backs. Ex-Hornet Allan Nyom has become a cult hero for the Baggies fans, a status he seemed on his way to achieving at Watford until it became apparent that he had a brain freeze every time he had the ball at his feet, something that doesn't bother the average West Brom fan as it's what they're used to. He took quite a lot of stick in this fixture last year and was roundly criticised for his exuberant celebrations in front of the travelling Hornets as well as for being a grass by running up to the referee to try to convince him to send Deeney off after the big melee (more of that later).

"Why don't they like me anymore?!"​

Then there's ex-Arsenal League Cup XI player and all round simpleton Kieran Gibbs, someone that we came close to signing as a back up to Holebas until being gazumped by the Baggies at the end of the transfer window. He made the sensible career choice of turning down the chance of working with one of Europe's most exciting young coaches to go and practise his long throw taking somewhere in (or near to?) Birmingham.

Finally, there's Grade A tosspot James McClean, an angry and limited footballer who spends most of his time flying into challenges with technically superior players in an uncontrolled fashion, aiming for maximum damage or to provoke a reaction. After getting silky playmaker Roberto Pereyra sent off at the Hawthorns last year, he came to Vicarage Road fired up and kicked Jose Holebas off the ball, leading to McClean getting subbed at half time for his own protection. It's hard to think of many more unpleasant characters in the Premier League than McClean - a brainless footballer when he has the ball, a dangerous liability without it and a scowling mess of spitting vitriol the rest of the time.

McClean up to his usual tricks with Pulis in the background whining to the 4th official.
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The Gaffer

Not content with turning Stoke into a byword for cynical, long ball tactics, Tony Pulis has now stamped his boring mark on West Brom. He now prowls the touchline looking like an ex member of Goldie Lookin Chain, imploring his players to time waste, foul and stop the other team from playing. His only redeeming feature is that he walked out of Palace on the eve of a season and tried to rip them off to the tune of £2 million.

Image taken from Pulis' Instagram​

Team News

Sounds like Chalobah's out for a while but Britos has completed his suspension so might come back into contention. Will be interesting to see how Silva counters the inevitable aerial bombardment as although Kabasele and Mariappa were excellent last week and won a lot of headers, West Brom will be chucking it in the mixer from the first minute rather than waiting until the second half. This could lead to a recall for either Prodl or Kaboul if either of them are fit.

Not sure about the state of their squad but pretty sure they'll be starting several giant centre backs, some ageing midfielders and a couple of big lumps upfront. It appears they signed Sloth from The Goonies this summer but he's only had a couple of games as sub:

"Heeeey youuu guuuuys! Boing Boing!"
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Prediction

If it was just down to footballing ability and managerial suaveness we would walk this game. However, Pulis will do everything to stop our boys from playing and make it as an ugly a spectacle as possible. There will be countless attempts to wind up our superior footballers so it'll be a real test of our discipline and focus. 1-1 - early set piece goal for them, 80 minutes of time wasting, then a thunderbolt from Femenia to get us a point. COYH!

 

We have Michael Oliver in charge of this one......so those fears that West Brom will get a cheap penalty could well be realised.

http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co....-on-saturday/story-30521357-detail/story.html

In fact now I know who's in charge of this fixture, I'm going down the bookies to bet West Brom will get a penalty. Easy money.

 

2-1 to the football team

Gray and Carillo

 

Great write up. Totally agree with you about McClean and I have no doubt he will be sent out with instructions to kick Richarlison and Carrillo all over the pitch.

I would also add that Pulis is the biggest moaner, whiner, whinger and pillock in the Prem. He just doesn't get called up for it because he is English. If Wenger, Mourinho etc moaned as much as he does, they would be fined and sent to the stand every game. Pulis' main attribute is putting pressure on the officials by being constantly in the ear of the 4th official from kick-off until full-time.

His recent remarks about not getting a penalty in over a year was very "clever" because he has now given the officials something to think about. Let's not forget what the experts tell us, everything evens itself out. So with the media jumping on the bandwagon of West Brom being denied a blatant penalty, which they were, I fully expect that "incident" to even itself out against us.

I would love it if Silva talks about his comments on Thursday at the press conference just to put pressure on the refs as well. Would also be great if he could mention the fact that we have had 3/4 clear cut penalties not awarded to us so he knows how Pulis feels.

Either way, I was confident of a win against this lot purely because they only turn up for the big games. Last night was the best West Brom have played all season, I don't expect them to play that good against us. However in light of Pulis' comments I expect to be playing against 14 not 11 and this will cost us the game.

As mentioned they will hoof, cross, play long balls and try to win as many corners/FK's as possible to put the ball in the box. Our players have to be switched on and stay on their feet, can't afford to dive into to tackles.

This is the type of game the Britos and Holebas can be a liability simply because they won't be bullied and they will react. I can see one of them being sent off for kicking McClean.

Heart - 2-1 win Watford - (If the officials call it fair and don't buckle to the pressure of Pulis. Also if we keep 11 players on the pitch).

Head - 2-1 win West Brom - (Pulis' comments have worked, his constant ear bashing of the 4th official will pay off and they will score from 2 set pieces that were infact never FK's, corners or throw ins in their favour).

 

Is it still the case that Oliver has awarded the most penalties against us and none have been scored?

 

Easy win.

West Brom 0-4 Watford

Gray x 3
Richarlison

 

Richarlison vs Nyom will be great to watch.

 

Chalobah is going to have surgery unfortunately....

 

Now you've gone and jinxed it

 

No.....the first 4 were saved/missed but the last one he gave was scored (although I can't remember who it was against).

He did give us a penalty against United though in that famous 3-1 win, so maybe he actually hates United more than us?

I know he gave West Brom two soft penalties against Watford the last time. This is when Gomes made two saves and we still won 1-0. As I said, put whatever you can on West Brom getting a penalty on Saturday.

 

I see what you did there...very canny

 

Pereyra to start with Cleverley dropping back with Doucoure. Need as much cannyness up front as possible to unlock a stubborn West Brom defence.

 

I feel alot more comfortable and confident with Carrillo against Gibbs than Amrabat against Gibbs.

 

I think he'll do the same as last week and play Capoue deep next to Doucoure. I expect the same starting line up as last week, with Pereyra coming on for Cleverley and Deeney for Gray later on.

Of course Prodl could be available and if so he may come straight back in.

 

Stop stealing my formation!!

 

west brom 0 watford 2

The golden juggernaut rolls on.

 

They lined up with 5 defenders and 3 defensive mids last night and still lost. So I assume it'll be a 6-3-1 against us.

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I'm going to this one. Sorry.

 

First goal is crucial imo. If we fall behind, it just plays in to their hands so much with their style.

Real big loss having Chalobah missing for the forseeable future, as his strength and athleticism would have been a great asset in the centre of the pitch against this type of team. I too would prefer to see Cleverley partner Doucoure and have Pereyra pushed further forward, but agree with HB1 and think Silva will start with Capoue - hopefully if this is the case, it will be one of his amazing performances we know he can produce (he's due at least 6 or 7 a season, isn't he?)

Our last two games against the baggies have seen us reduced to 10 men (Pereyra and Britos), so it will be nice to keep 11 on the pitch. Will Britos get the nod (assuming everybody else is still injured) or is he still on the naughty step in Silva's eyes? I'd be inclined to play him, telling him he owes the club and fans a star performance.

With all the current penalty talk about West Brom, it does seem a cruel irony that Oliver has been appointed. Don't forget that as well as the two he gave them the season before last - he also gave the Knockaert one.

 

Pulis is welsh

 

So

So are GLC.

 

If Capoue starts ahead of Pereyra then Ill start doubting Silvas sanity.

He still looks a little rusty but in his 20 minute cameo on Sat he won a penalty , set up a great chance for Deeney via Doucoure and played the ball up to Deeney that lead to Richarlisons goal.

 

Pereyra is just coming back from injury. Do we really want to put him against McClean and the like? They'll snap his legs off, and the ref will do nothing about it, as he's scared of Pullis.

I'd match them like for like. Get our roughest reserves on, hoof the ball towards their goal and hope for lucky bounce/ a set piece.

 

Pereyra hasn't got 90 mins in him yet. He will be introduced slowly.
One of the motivating factors is Silva's loyalty so expect at least another chance for Capoue before he pulls Cleverley back and expect Marriapa to continue with any one of 3 CB's on the bench.

I expect the same starting 11.
Btw It should be noted that for the winner last week Deeney was on the left and Richarlison through the middle. Somthing to think about as we grow. Certainly Nyom could get his marching orders on Saturday.

 

I'm going to this one too.

We tend to draw when I go to away games. 0-0/ 1-1 I reckon.

 

Peryera was only out for 4 games after a full pre season. 2 sub appearances is plenty of time to recover.

 

You need to up your game Mike , get with Silvas new regime, and bring the 3 points safe and sound, back home down the M1.

 

Agree whole heartedly regarding Mclean. Just a horrible talentless individual

 

I'm suitably inspired, thanks.

0-6 to the golden boys. Let's destroy those talentless cloggers.

 

Underestimate the Baggies at your peril! They're not relying on Rondon and Robson-Kanu up front and Jacob in the middle anymore. My only realistic hope for this is that The Old Contemptibles ale list is superb again and that the whole contingent of travelling fans makes it home this year.

 

Buzzing for this. A lot of alcohol, easy journey on the train, goof form, sell out. What could go wrong.

West Brom 0-4 Watford

Gray x2, Doucoure and Pereyra.

Easy. Come on you orns.

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I had forgotten what a bad tempered game this was like year

0-3 to us

Deeney to show us the leader he is, subbed on on the 80th min ,1st touch of the game kicks McLean into the stand

 

With a team like West Brom happy to park the bus from the First Minute and with Chalobah being out, I reckon we should shoe in Hughes to see what he is made of. From the looks of him he seems like a little maestro, His passing and dribbling could help unlock the Brom defences.

Im going for a 1-0 or 2-0 win, Richarlison to Score an absolute worldy as he ghosts past the defence like they are paper bags blowing in the wind.

 

You have to admire a football club that has a Greggs in a Georgian listed building next door. Classy.