16th September 2003: I didn't
go, but my initial feelings having listened to the commentary is that
Megson got it wrong tonight. OK, we were playing away at the side
second in the table, but I really don't think that a game at Wigan
is reason enough to change a winning side, let alone the formation.
By playing just one out and out striker, albeit with Sakiri playing
in a free role just behind, I think he immediately gave the initiative
to Wigan and, consequently, they dominated the first half and Albion
never really got going. The team suddenly had to get used to a new
formation, a new way of playing, it hat was always going to be a tough
game. We almost managed to hold out until half time, but the Horse
managed to get yet another injury time goal and we were then chasing
the game.
OK, I agree that Megson made the right change at half time in bringing
Hughes on for Sakiri, and it seemed to have an immediate impact with
Albion starting the second period well. But Wigan could sit behind
the ball so we were always up against it, and then Megson disrupted
the flow by making two more substitutions and we lost our way for
a while.
And then we started playing in the last fifteen and were maybe unlucky
not to get an equaliser, but that's how we should've started! I'm
sure that when Paul Jewell saw the Albion teamsheet, he used it to
build up the confidence of his team by saying "Look what respect they're
giving us, they've changed the formation to a more defensive one for
the first time this season." It must have given them a right shot
in the arm. Sorry, GM, but that was a bad move.
I suppose at least it's happened early on in the season and there
is a long way to go, yet. But I think it is important to get a point
at the very least at Palace and, to be honest, it really needs to
be three to keep that momentum going. I had really hoped for four
points from these two games.
Of course, I'll happily defer to the judgment of anyone who went to
the game as my thoughts are based purely on the BBC commentary, but
I'm disappointed tonight - at least it's only the second time this
season!!
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