Terry Wills on Albion’s week.
It’s as you were yet again. All the Greed League relegation candidates acted in conjunction by conveniently losing and leaving frustrated Baggies fans equally despondent because we couldn’t take advantage.
The 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur was such an occasion but make no mistake Spurs were a class act. Pace, power, passing skills and most importantly finishing ability
Where were Albion in the first 25 minutes? The only answer was still in the dressing room, so superior were a very impressive in form side full of confidence and believing that they were a match for anyone. For all that, after finding ourselves 2-0 down if not for the Spurs keeper, who made two world class saves, aided by the crossbar foiling a Craig Dawson header, we could have been level.
But it couldn’t be maintained and once Harry Kane converted a spot kick it was a case of waiting to hear the final whistle to reflect where this left us in the table. A first defeat for Tony Pulis and the admission that he needed to bring in new players before the transfer window closed.
Even that turned out to be something of a damp squib. No badly needed striker to ease the burden on Saido Berahino, although the signing of Darren Fletcher from Manchester United by all accounts seems to be a worthwhile capture. What of Callum McManaman’s debut? Pitched in after just one day’s training, and not familiar with the demands from Tony Pulis, he hardly had a chance to sparkle but before being substituted he had shown he could be a major asset.
On to Sunday’s vital televised game at Burnley. They too will realise a win will ease their bottom of the table spot and the Baggies defence – hopefully with Joleon Lescott back in his rightful position -can expect 90 minutes of non-stop attacks.
One advantage – if it is an advantage- is of knowing Saturday’s results beforehand. Should they continue in the current trend Tony Pulis’s now accepted train of thought will be stressed even louder than normal – “If you can’t win the game make sure you don’t lose it.”
Hear, hear.
