10th January 2004: Crisis, what
crisis? A good solid performance from the Baggies, although there
were a few heart-stopping moments early on, but once the confidence
came back, Walsall were never going to score.
There were lots of positives, not least an end to the speculation
regarding a players' rift with the manager - that team obviously went
out and gave their all for Gary Megson; there was passion, desire
and the will to win. Horsfield was the star with an outstanding performance,
although Gaardsoe and Gregan also produced superb displays, and Lloyd
Dyer could prove to be a very big player for the Baggies.
But what of the referee? I thought he was abysmal throughout and made
some awful decisions, even without the penalty scandal. To book Horsfield
for diving was nothing short of appalling - he was so close to the
incident, it was astounding that he could not see it as a penalty.
He should be banned from refereeing for a month or more for that -
it would be nice to see some public criticism of a referee for once.
Maybe that's another thing Keith Hackett should think about.
But thankfully it didn't matter in the end. Albion are hopefully back
on track and, with Norwich losing at home to Bradford (it's a funny
old game), we're just two points off the lead. A draw at Burnley will
be a good result, and then we need to get the home forma going agains
when Watford visit at the end of the month.
Back on the rails for destination Premiership.
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