Terry Wills philosophises about events at the Hawthorns.
Ironic, or what? Just a week after being somewhat unlucky to lose to an outstanding Tottenham Hotspur following a display that the majority of media critics reported as being very encouraging, Roy Hodgson’s Baggies grind out a valuable point away at Loftus Road without performing to the best of their ability.
The news that Zoltan Gera was out for the rest of the season naturally left supporters bitterly disappointed, but injuries are part of the game and simply have to be accepted. At least it meant that Graham Dorrans was lining up for the kick-off as opposed to his usual last 20 minutes or so and although he wasn’t at his very best he did enough to suggest he will get more opportunities to convince Hodgson to name him in his starting line-up.
Okay, if Rangers hadn’t conveniently missed their chances (thanks for that!) we would have lost. But yet again it was a far from fully fit Shane Long who saved the day with his late equaliser – further proof that he could be yet another centre-forward worthy of joining the list of outstanding Albion strikers.
(And I’m sure every fan will know who falls into this category, depending on their age of course!)
Peter Odemwingie, on as a substitute, did enough to show he has the pace and ability to cause problems for any defence but of course Hodgson is still faced with the problem of deciding just what his best starting line-up and formation is. It was a useful point, as are most obtained in the Greed League and this week Baggies fans will be anticipating three when Wigan arrive at the Hawthorns.
Without doubt the majority of critics, and supporters of every other team, consider that they are nailed on certainties for the drop. I’m no different, but seeing them on the box week, week out, it seems that despite them invariably losing our visitors can and often do play an entertaining game of football.
It appears their defence is prone to make mistakes, as is ours, so the best way to send me, and every other Albion fan, home happy from what will be a cold Hawthorns will be to take the three points, leaving Wigan deeper in trouble and Albion another step away from the danger zone.
Please don’t let us down lads – although the Wolves fans would be consider it an early Christmas present if we did!
Come on you Baggies.
