30th August 2003: Another average
performance, by all reports, but another three points. Is it luck?
There's certainly something to it, but it's really been about taking
your chances - something which we singularly filaed to do well enough
last season.
I listened to the commentary today, and Derby certainly had a few
chances, but they didn't take them. We probably had two or three,
put one away and managed to hold on at the other end. If Albion start
playing as we know they can, heaven help the majority of first division
teams. If we can win four games on the bounce when we're not playing
particularly well, the signs are good.
Having said that, the team needs to start clicking soon and we should
not become complacent. This run will not continue unless it does and
we'll play better teams. Reading are looking particularly strong,
Sunderland appear to have found form at last and there's always West
Ham, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest to consider. This remains
a tough league to get out of. There's a two week break now, so some
more time for the new boys to settle in more, including N'Dour (who?)
and, hopefully, Berthe.
I know nothing about Alassane N'Dour other than he's a 21-year-old
left-sided defender, a Senegalese international and has been playing
in France for two years. The position was the obvious one in which
cover was lacking, and hopefully this attempt at bringing in an African
will be more successful than Udeze. Berthe, again, is little known
in England but has played in France for a number of years. His passport
seems to be a long time coming but he will provide useful cover.
It's great to see the Baggies top of a division for the first time
since 1992, having won at Derby in the league for the first time since
1919. We may get knocked off the top next week as some First Division
teams will play, but we then have a home game to Ipswich before tough
trips to Wigan and Palace. If we're still top after those games, I'll
be very pleased.
But speaking of Wigan, I'm surprised Albion accepted a bid for Roberts
from First Division rivals, but at least they cleverly accepted a
loan offer from a Premiership club as well. I'm disappointed he and
Megson could not kiss and make up, but such is life. It will be interesting
to see which way, if either, JR jumps. If he does go, I hope it's
to Leicester. If he goes to Wigan, I can see him scoring a goal or
two on 16th September!
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