Terry Wills on a big week at the Hawthorns.
It’s been a hectic four days for the Albion, starting with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Stanford Bridge where a controlled battling display was nullified due to a wonderful goal from Diego Costa.
Albion’s display won praise from media and fans alike and while I tipped Chelsea to win, the fact that we held them at bay for so long only to return home empty-handed was disappointing.
And so on to the Swansea game. In the first half they dominated without causing many serious problems for Ben Foster and a defence that at times appeared too be at odds with each other with regards to decision-making. “Your Ball.” No, my ball”! Thankfully it didn’t cost us. In the second half a rampaging Salamon Rondon netted a rare hat-trivkrick of headers. Game over?
Not quite, as Swansea pulled a goal back and in the final few minutes went close to snatching a second but the three points hoisted us back into seventh place, with only the expected big six above Tony Pulis’ rejuvenated side. Apart from Rondon there were impressive performances from Allan Nymon (a very shrewd signing) Darren Fletcher, Nacer Chadli, Chris Brunt and the ever-reliable Gareth McCauley.
Saturday sees another televised fixture versus Manchester United, who seem to be improving game by game, The Special One will feel confident of seeing his side maintain their good form while Wayne Rooney will naturally be hoping he can score the goal needed to break Bobby Charlton’s all-time scoring record. Will he do it? Possibly but as long as it doesn’t p rove to ber a matchwinner I can appreciate this achievement.
Forecast? Both sides will be looking for the win. United with world class expensive players. Albion with Salomon Rondon hopefully continuing where he left off against Swansea leads to me feeling a draw is most probable.