Oppo Forum: https://westbrom.com/forum/index.php Well it's time for our next midweek game of the season, and we once again find ourselves at home. Two wins and a loss our record so far, with 6 scored and just the one conceded. Last time out we ended our long standing streak of playing like tosh after an international break although we did leave it very late, to finally see of a Birmingham side who had fair few chances to win the game in normal time. Captain fantastic made a number of superb saves to keep the scores level and "the Owl" did it again with a header before Andrews smashed in his first ever first team goal. WBA are themselves, having a bit of nightmare on the goal scoring front. They have a lot talent in their side and one of the best supported clubs in the Championship. Always seeming in their bitter rivals Wolves shadow as of late, their fans' are desperate to rejoin the elite after a prolonged absence. I used to consider WBA a bit of a "bogey" side for us. I remember when they beat us (beat is the wrong term here, thrashed is better) at the Vic 3-0 to end our unbreaten run at the start of the 07/08 season under Boothroyd. Also, the 3-3 draw against them in the 00/01 season ended our own baron run of losses after such an impressive start. Been there, seen it, done it: VI has coached WBA and now has the reigns at Watford This is sort of reversed homecoming for our coach. Ismael' was the coach of the visiting team and had a respectable time their. However, the players lost faith in his gameplan and it soon fell apart. I am sure there are a few WBA players who will no doubt give him a warm reception, also some of their fans may jeer or clap him if emotions are running high. No matter the atmosphere inside the Vic on Wednesday evening, his attention will be purely on his new side getting one over his old charges. They still have plenty of dangerous players and can certainly get forward in numbers. However against Bristol City they played a very defensive game, allowing City to come at them a lot more. Whether or not they take the same style against us is unclear, but a point from Watford would be a good result for them no doubt. Having said that, I do not think they will come and park the bus, as if the game from last season is anything to go by, we could have a very entertaining game on our hands. I still worry about or backline, with Bachmann being an excellent shot stopper, his positioning and kicking still manage to send chills up many a Watford fans' spines. Porteous is still a very good player despite a dip in form, and Hoedt continues to partner him well. Our midfield continues to be our weakest area though, although there are signs the TDB is really coming of age now, but seeing a bit more of Ince would be nice as he didn't have the best game on Saturday. As for the striking situation, the very fact we had zero sat on the bench on Saturday is pretty concerning. There are still rumors of Healy making the bench sooner rather than later, and the absence of Bayo was an odd one also. Hopefully one or both of them can make the game, even Colins is worth a shout of a sub. Rajovic has three goals in his first two which is very pleasing, but he does need to get involved more in the game. He was invisible for much of Saturday's game (be it having no service), but when he was on the ball he was still a yard or two off the pace of the game. A decent cross in the box is what he craves, so let's pepper them in (easier said than done). So, as I my typing fingers get a rest now as other members are doing the next two previews, my prediction is a actually a draw. I think we are more than capable of winning and I hope we do. It could be a case of them scoring early and us chasing the game and being happy with a draw. WBA, like us are having a slow start to the season in general, but again like us, very unpredictable on the pitch. Watford 1 West Brom 1
All West Brom fans seem to be insistent that VI's long ball tactics will eventually stop working for us as it did for them. Shame for them that is more or less the opposite of how he has coached us.
A favourable match-up stats wise. In attack we've created a large amount of shots (something they've struggled with) and they generally don't try to disrupt the opponents spells of possession too much (passes per defensive action + opposition passing %) whereas we've dominated possession in most of our games so far. They've struggled to defend against teams that press high, with a load of shots conceded coming from teams winning the ball from a high press - we've created the 4th highest shots from high presses in the league which bodes well. Really not convinced of their goalkeeper Palmer. He especially looks weak diving to his left - they've conceded 11 goals this season and 7 of them were scored to his left and as you can see from the video below, probably should've done better for a few of those. In defence, they've scored a decent amount of goals but ultimately struggle to create much of note whereas we've been pretty solid across the board. They've averaged around 50% possession but we've been at disrupting the opposition. Comfortable 2-0 victory with Martins cutting inside and playing a curler to the keepers left and a goal from Asprilla.
Easy win here. 3-0 - Rajovic to bag one again, Hoedt with a monstrous header and Asprilla finally learning how to finish.
Unlike the Bluenose Brum Scum, as fans go I've got a lot of time for this lot. Always self-deprecating, but equally always massively behind their team at their away games. I had the pleasure of getting to know a few of them when I worked in Walsall many years ago. Football-obsessive fcukers the lot of them, but truly great company, in work and out of work. They helped make working away from home bearable. Watford 3 1 Boing Boing Hopefully it'll be a cracking atmosphere if they bring a few for this midweek fixture...
Watford 4-0 West Brom Rajovic x 2 Martins x 1 Porteous x 1 Tough day out for the soiled underwear gang
Before last Saturdays game we would probably have taken 4 points from our 2 home games as that would have been an improvement on our previous form, but having won in late fashion the other day should be like scoring just before half time to us! To win 2 on the trot should not be impossible and would be nice to get that monkey off our back.
Out of all the clubs from that area I find West Brom and their fans the most easy going .. Can't see us losing this so a 1-1 draw or a narrow 2-1 win
We've played quite well so far at home this season. We've been the stronger of all our opponents to date, which is disappointing to see we've won only 2 of the 4 we've played. Dropping points to Plymouth and Blackburn was very poor indeed. But this season is a reset and I think it's going as well as could be expected. I think we're actually playing to our maximum with the players we have to pick from, so that's full credit to Ismael, as he's the one consistent shining light to emerge this season. I still think, once injuries kick in, we'll struggle, but for now, whilst we have virtually everyone available to us, that should be enough to continue with good performances at home. I expect us to be the better team, but we don't create enough chances. It's going to be another flick of a coin result. Will we struggle up front and get caught out as happened against Blackburn or will we score the first goal? For us, it's very important to take the lead. If we do that I think we'd do well as we seem to be a confidence team. I'm hoping we get that important goal early and go on to control the match. Could be another 2-0 win for us and I'm going for that as my prediction.
I'd imagine it will be the same starting XI with perhaps Asprilla coming in for Ince, although Yaser looks a lot more dangerous coming off the bench and changing the dynamic. I cant remember a player to get the fans off their seats every time he gets the ball,since McNamee.
If you try to keep track of HB's views on a subject it'll give you whiplash. Obsessively passionate on one side of the argument one week, then pretty much opposite the next. Not a diss btw, it's entertaining reading.
Come on, there's been plenty in the meantime. Deulofeu? Vydra? Even Sarr did for a fair bit of time. Whatever happened to McNamee?
As I remember, McNamee went to Norwich briefly and Wycombe briefly, then disappeared. A shame - I really liked him.
It's the only way to please the entire forum. Predict we'll lose one week, then win the following week, and that usually covers it.
McNamee exciting? Well I suppose he used to dribble a bit. But so did my grandad. Did Mcnamee ever score a goal for us. Probably a few assists, but I think you could name a dozen players who got the crowd more excited. Anyway that is just my opinion. I think we can all agree Asprilla is both technically way above him, and probably half a foot taller.
91 games, scored three goals. Two in the Nationwide Football League Division One and one in the FA Cup. Left for Barnet then went on to Crewe.
No left for Swindon then Norwich, Milton Keynes, Wycombe, Macclesfield, Aldershot and Woking. Barnet and Crewe were on loan whilst with us! Now aged 39.
Woah, bit of a traveller was our Anthony. Looks like he pushed himself as far as his body would allow. Credit to him and I hope he's enjoying life.
Sema has given us years of fine service, especially in the Championship, but to be brutally honest, I'm not too disappointed by that news, he doesn't get into the team anymore with everyone fit. Bayo apparently wasn't happy on Saturday, was that because he was actually fit to play, or because his main competitor further cemented his place in the team?
He was the only bright spark in a very dull team and every time he got the ball the crowd got out of their seats because he was so positive and direct . Of course there have been many many better players since then but that wasn’t what I was referring to, more as a comparison that the moment Asprilla got the ball on Saturday the whole Rookery got out of their seats because we can see Yaser is direct , positive and always looking to progress the game rather than take the safe option .
He only got fans off their seats once for THAT goal. Otherwise did nothing and was a waste of a shirt.
