Terry Wills on news from the Hawthorns.
Yes it’s VERY early days but even so Albion fans are already viewing the season with contrasting opinions. The main concern relates to the shock ‘retirement,’ should it happen, of Nicolas Anelka, plus news that Ben Foster has been ruled out of action for up to three months.
While the defence are doing their job the lack of goals is the major worry. Everton were rarely tested due to a lack of pace and creativity and this has to be a major concern for Steve Clarke. Will we sign players before the transfer window closes or will he be forced to battle on with a squad that fans feel is palpably not strong enough? Make no mistake if it hadn’t been for Foster’s outstanding display at Goodison Park we’d have suffered a second successive defeat following that dreadful home reverse against Southampton. But for all that it was a worthy point at a ground where our record is, to put it mildly, unimpressive.
On to the Capital Cup Hawthorns win against Newport County. Newly promoted into the Football League, at face value they stood no chance of causing an upset, although in this competition upsets aren’t unknown. But backed by fantastic support from their travelling hordes of supporters they put on a worthy display and could be considered unfortunate to lose 3-0.
In the first 20 minutes County dominated possession but lacking any real firepower they rarely tested Luke Daniels. Eight changes for Steve Clarke, in the attempt to discover who might be named in his starting eleven for Sunday’s visit of Swansea and without a shadow of doubt it was Saudi Berahino who stole the headlines and was voted Man of the Match following his hat -trick. His second had everyone leaping up to celebrate a goal that simply couldn’t be bettered.
Scott Sinclair had a quiet debut but he proved he does have pace and trickery and when fully fit will certainly prove to be a handful for most defences. Conversely, for me at least, it also confirmed that Marcus Rosenberg is highly unlikely to ever warrant a regular place. His deplorable miss, after coming on as a substitute for injured newcomer Mate Vydra, had the fans looking on in disbelief. Sorry Markus but you aren’t the answer to our glaring lack of goals problems. Prospects for Sunday? At best , although hoping for three points, I won’t be surprised if that’s reduced to one
Questions. Will Berahino partner Shane Long up front? Will Vydra be fit? What starting formation? Only the Head Coach can supply the answers so all we supporters can do is to sit back, wait, and hope he conjures up a winning formula.
Come on you Baggies.
