Terry Wills on the continuing saga of underachieving Hawthorns folk.
Let’s not mince words. Albion are in serious danger of relinquishing their hard worked for Greed League place. Yet another dismal, and that’s putting it mildly, first-half performance against bottom of table Fulham, confirming that without a massive improvement on recent displays( helped by a continuation of other struggling teams current form) Baggies fans can anticipate visiting Championship grounds next season.
Supporters simply can’t isolate the main reason for a possible slide into the delights of watching second tier Championship football. Are Pepe Mel’s team selections and /or tactics to blame? Is his favoured high line system compatible with whichever team he chooses? Or is there one that overrides them all – the players simply aren’t good enough?
Whatever Mel’s preferred style, it’s ultimately down to them once the game kicks off. Mistakes can and will be made but what excuse can be offered when players pass the ball to the opposition when attempting a simple five yard pass?
And again defensively, why, for instance, does Liam Ridgewell repeatedly allow players ample time and space to cause danger? Dejagah’s goal came from Liam being around 20 yards adrift.
Substitutions-ah yes substitutions! Anichebe does it again. He didn’t score the late equaliser but his physical presence did pose problems. Should he starting in place of Berahino or Tievey? Both promising youngsters but in a relegation scrap are they simply too inexperienced?
Matel Vydra salvaged a vital point and in the process ensured that both he and Albion wrote their names into the record books. Television technology rules ok!
To muddy waters even more we now read the club are considering a massive shake up, including possibly changes within the structure of those responsible for making the all-important decisions.
In addition media reports (at odds with each other) claim on one hand that the players find it difficult to come to terms with Pepe Mel’s preferred system, contradicted by Jonas Olsson claiming they don’t have a problem.
No match this week – Sunderland are at Wembley playing Manchester City in the Capitol Cup Final. Another week taking a break, working on changes that hopefully will have a far greater positive effect, than the working ‘holiday’ in sunny Spain.
We return to action when Rooney United (£300.000 a week, proof the game truly has gone mad) come visiting-and Albion may find themselves entrenched in an automatic relegation spot. depending on this week’s results.
Come on you Baggies.
