Terry Wills reports from the Albion’s game with Arsenal.
There had been mixed messages aplenty. With a full side the Gunners looked and performed as a team realistically chasing a Champions League spot while Albion, despite enjoying a fair amount of possession, didn’t give impression that they would cause them too many problems. The sending off and subsequent penalty conversion (just about!) by James Morrison saw a massive turn around and as Albion piled on the pressure, desperately seeking an equaliser, both sets of fans were praying too hear the final whistle – for different reasons.
Steve Clark’s initial team selection was, and is still is, being criticised on phone programmes and message boards, based on the obvious controversy as to why Romulus Lukaku started on the substitutes bench? Far and away the outstanding striker available (until Chelsea inevitably recall him), when he came on his pace and strength must have given Arsene Wenger’s talented team plenty to think about. Albion were on top, were the better team, but missed chances including what had seemed a certain equaliser by Romulus himself. That proved fateful so our miserable run of results continued.
Clark is also stressing that chances will be given to the likes of Isaiah Brown in the future. This seems logical but with Albion chasing the confessed desired 50 points to finish the season would it have the desired result? What cannot be disputed is that if our current form had been emulated early on in the season, Baggies supporters would also have been concerned that we’d have been looking anxiously at those three unimaginable relegation spots , as are those of Aston Villa. (And that possibility I repeat will not happen. To those of QPR and Reading you can take your pick from Wigan, Stoke, Sunderland, and any other that could yet be enjoying Championship football next season) .
No Greed League game this week, allowing the head coach to (no doubt?) undertake a look at possible transfer targets. As usual all we can do is too wait, see, and wonder!
Come on you Baggies.