23rd November 2003: Frustrating
it was, but it wasn't a bad performance from the Baggies. Maybe there
was a sense of anti-climax after the morning's events down under which
heightened the frustration, but Reading, like so many before them,
came for a point and were extremely well organised. Even so, Albion
created enough chances to win the game.
I think the disappointment at the end of the match was augmented by
the last fifteen minutes, which were certainly the worst. That was
due to Koumas and Johnson both running out of steam (unsurprisingly,
after their international exploits), and an extremely astute substitution
by Coppell. Clement replaced Robinson and created havoc for fifteen
minutes and to be honest, I wasn't too worried by Bernie's misses
at the time because I felt there would be many more chances to come.
But once the giant Bas Savage came on, Clement's effectiveness was
diminished.
I thought Albion did OK in the first half without really pushing home
their advantage, were excellent in the first period of the second
half but then fell away. The boos I heard at the final whistle were
certainly unwarranted but are a symptom of the increased expectations
at the club.
But we remain a point clear with a game in hand with two tough away
games coming up. Mind you, we seem to be playing better away from
home these days having won our last five.
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