4th August 2003: So what does
the new season hold? The friendlies are over, the new players are
in and, pehaps, there are more to come. So what can we expect from
the new season?
I don't think many would argue that the squad that was relegated from
the Premiership was stronger than the one that was promoted the season
before, but obviously not good enough for the top flight. And with
five arguably good signings so far this summer, the squad is stronger
still - with the exception of Igor Balis, I don't think any of the
players who have left the club have significantly weakened the squad.
So, it should be a walk in the park, shouldn't it?
It's not quite that simple obviously. First of all, and perhaps most
importantly, Albion were fortunate to win promotion in 2002. It was
very much a case of a group of players working well together and punching
above their weight, coupled with a fantastic run of form in the last
ten games that none of our rivals could match. Add in Wolves' catastrophic
self destruction, and up we went. The fact remains that we struggled
for goals that season, as we did in the Premiership - will that change?
The arrival of Rob Hulse is obviously a step in the right direction.
He's a proven goalscorer in what was a struggling team in division
one and a winning team in division two - he should be good enough
to do the business at this level. If pre-season form is anything of
a judge, Dobie seems to be quicker, sharper and stronger according
to reports and has probably done enough to earn a starting place against
Walsall alongside Hulse. Hughes will need to prove that he can re-create
his scoring exploits at this level sooner rather than later to avoid
a season on the bench. Whether the lack of a pre-season was the major
factor in his failure last season I'm not sure, but I maintain that
we looked more dangerous with him in the side that without, despite
his inability to score. Dichio has made the commitment to move to
the midlands and will provide another option on the bench, but I don't
see him as a regular starter with Hulse and Dobie fit. And as for
Mr Roberts, I'd love to see him make it up with Megson and start playing
with the right attitude, because he is a quality player when he puts
his mind to it, and would complete a pretty decent group of five forwards
to provide the flexibility and competition that is required.
So to the midfield. O'Connor for McInnes will be seen by many as like
for like - I hope not. McInnes didn't live up to expectations last
season, and although I know little about James O'Connor, reports suggest
that he is an able replacement as well as being younger with a more
impressive goalscoring record. It looks as though Koumas will be staying,
which is a big boost, and with probably the most exciting summer signing
in Artim Sakiri, it gives us the right balance of creativity in the
middle of the park. With Gregan, Johnson and Adam Chambers also in
the frame, the midfield options are numerous. And, of course, if Appy
comes back from injury anything like the player he was, there's another
selection headache that Megson will relish.
Two years ago, the defence was superb conceeding just 29 goals in
46 games. It was evidently found wanting last season although I, personally,
would put our relegation down to our inability to score rather than
a weak defence. We were always going to concede in the Premiership.
Having said that, I thought Gilly and Clement were the biggest disappointments
in the back line last season. The arrival of Thomas Gaardsoe obviously
creates some additional competition in the middle of the back line,
but with Udeze gone (thankfully), there's still no alternative for
Clement on the left (unless Megson sees Sakiri as a wing back, something
I would think is highly unlikely). Gaardsoe's departure from Ipswich
was unpopular with the Tractor Boys' fans, in stark comparison to
Haas leaving Sunderland with the fan's blessing. I would think, however,
that a player with Champions League experience must be positive introduction
to a division one squad. Darren Moore's absence at the end of last
season and through the pre-season period has been obvious, with Wallwork
often seen at the centre of defence (something I've never been sure
about!).
Finally to the 'keepers. Hoult's recent whingeing appears to have
stopped for the time being, with no offers forthcoming from Premiership
clubs, and no improvement on the table from the Albion. He will be
pushed hard by Murphy this season, and will need to be back to his
best to keep his place.
And what of the formation? The 4-4-2 experiment seems to have been
abandoned, but I wonder whether it would have worked better with a
natural left sided midfielder like Sakiri in the side? I have a sneaky
feeling that Megson might give it a go in some games as he seems to
have been buying players for that formation - many fans have said
that Haas is not a wing back and would Megson play two creative midfielders
in a middle three?
To summarise on the squad - the front line seems strong with four
or five players battling for two starting slots and probably just
one place on the bench. On Saturday, I forecast Hulse and Dobie to
start with Dichio on the bench, although I'd put Hughes on the bench.
Assuming GM goes 5-3-2. I forecast Koumas, Gregan and O'Connor to
start with Sakiri on the bench until he's fit. Once he's fit, GM may
alternate between Gregan/O'Connor or Sakiri to start depending on
the opposition. If he goes 4-4-2, however, I would see Koumas on the
right, Sakiri on the left with O'Connor and Gregan in the middle.
Johnson will spend much of the season on the bench, although Adam
Chambers may push him off with his improved versatility. The ideal
five at the back would be Haas, Clement, Moore, Gaardsoe and Sigurdsson
in my opinion. With Moore out for a few weeks yet, Gilly would be
my choice but Megson may opt for Wallwork. Obviously, if Gaardsoe
is not fit by Saturday, you'll probably see both. Of course, Volmer,
or another defender, may be signed this week to be added to the melting
pot. James Chambers is an obvious defensive substitute able (along
with Wallwork), to play in the middle or on the right. No cover other
than Gilly at left back, though.
So how will we do? If all goes well, Albion should be challenging
for an automatic spot, if not the Champsionship. I think we'll do
it, but I'm biased. It is strange to be the "big buyers" in the division,
and if we make it to the Premiership next May, the board's decision
not to spend last January will be justified in my opinion. Although
I didn't want to admit it at the time, we were a long way from staying
up in the end - one or two players of the calibre we could attract
in our position at the time would not have made a difference.
First target - let's get off to a good start!! Come on you Baggies!
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