30th November 2002: Suddenly,
it all looks better. This is a result that should give the boys a
lot of confidence.
Middlesbrough should be a good side. They have some excellent footballers
and have done well this season, but yesterday Albion made them look
very ordinary. Koumas was a revelation. Suddenly Albion can play football
again. Rather than the long ball up to Roberts and partner, a short
pass to Koumas (even Siggy can manage that!) and we're away. He managed
to bring both Balis and Clement into the attacks, which is exactly
what should be happening.
It did look like being one of those days, and I'll be honest and say
I was angry when Hughes was replaced by Dichio. Roberts was well shackled
and Hughes was not getting the breaks. He worked very hard but nothing
was falling for him, and he didn't have a single attempt on goal.
When Dichio came on, it added an extra dimension - he could stand
up to Southgate and Ehiogu and was even useful defending corners.
I've criticised him all season, but he's never really looked like
doing anything before. It was the right game for him against Boro.
As well as Albion were playing, it needed a change to get the breakthrough.
Plus, it was a great finish.
Two tough away games coming up (well, they're all tough) but neither
Spurs nor Villa are exactly setting the world alight. We know we're
good enough to beat Villa. Now last season, we drew against our big
rivals in the first game at home and played them a few weeks later
on their patch - what happened then?????
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