4th April 2004: There are big
wins and there are big wins. The pattern of the game, the lateness
of the winner and the previous day's results make this one of the
biggest.
In all honesty, Ipswich can feel agrieved at not getting a point as
they did play very well. There were big decisions that went our way
such as the foul on Horsfield that led to the equaliser and the question
mark about the Horse being offside in the run up to the winner. But
Murphy looked to have been fouled for the Ipswich equaliser and Santos
definitely took a swing at Hoult in the inicdent that saw him aggravate
his injury.
Probably the key decision that worked out our way was AJ being pulled
back for taking a quick free kick. Given that the referee was the
same man that sent AJ off against Stoke, either he was feeling sorry
for AJ at making such a stupid decision when Koumas was on the field,
or he doesn't like the pseudo-Welshman and was picking on him. Either
way, it worked for the Baggies as Koumas produced a carbon copy of
the goal he scored for Wales in midweek.
Once again, an indifferent Baggies performance was supplemented by
the team's never-say-die attitude and another last-gasp winner was
produced. In a weekend that saw Sheffield United, West Ham and Wigan
all but surrender their automatic promotion chances, and Sunderland
suffer what could be a psychological blow, this three points was as
big as any we have won this season. With Sunderland playing one of
their games in hand at Wimbledon on Tuesday, and again on Good Friday
against Sheffield United, the picture may be much clearer by the time
we play Gillingham on Saturday. Norwich also meet Wigan on Friday,
so there maybe a top spot chance!
With Millwall v Albion, Ipswich v Sunderland and Reading v Norwich
on Easter Monday, it proves to be a huge weekend in the promotion
stakes. It will leave Sunderland with just one game in hand, at Crystal
Palace on 21st April, and the Baggies and Norwich still to visit the
Stadium of Light.
If results go our way, we could be promoted at Sunderland. If they
don't, that game could see Sunderland go above us.
It's all still to play for, but today was another huge step.
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