Terry Wills watched Albion’s painful defeat on Merseyside and offers an instant remedy.
Down to earth with a bang ? No – more like an explosion as a top form Liverpool handed Steve Clarke’s team a reminder as to the difference in quality between the respective sides.
I still hold the opinion that the Baggies have a squad who, when playing at their best, are capable of competing with the best the Greed League can offer. Sadly, last Saturday at Anfield wasn’t one of those days.
In their defence Albion were unfortunate to have one of the world’s best players, Lois Suarez, displaying breathtaking skills that would have seen teams such as Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich struggling to
contain him. Four fabulous goals, three from Suarez, to enjoy – unless you happen to support the opposition!
But enough of the ‘Pool , what about the Baggies? What could they have done to
negate Steven Gerrard’s on-song team? First, Steve Clarke’s team selection. In common with the other supporters, and virtually every media reporter I feel the criticism surrounding his team selection was justified.
To choose Nicolas Analka as a lone striker turned out to be a massive mistake. Once a great player , he now lacks pace and the ability to bring others into the game while Anichebe, whatever one thinks of his ability, is way out of position playing wide.
But we move on and this week a perfect opportunity to redress the balance as a seemingly already bound for the Championship (even at this early stage of the season) Crystal Palace come to the Hawthorns.
Steve Clarke’s reported as saying he’s confident the Liverpool defeat will be no more than a blip and he will not hype up the London side’s visit. At face value it’s hard to believe Palace can gain a point – four defeats away from Selhurst and only two goals scored, but then Albion themselves have only netted four from their four home matches.
There’s sure to be team changes but whoever they involve it’s a game that has to be won to stabilise the current position in the table, especially bearing in mind the next game is away at title-chasing Chelsea followed by THE crucial local derby clash against Aston Villa.
Come on you Baggies.