17th April 2005: Saturday's results
could scarcely have gone better for the Baggies. Perhaps a defeat
for Fulham may have had them looking over their shoulders once more,
but defeat for Southampton and a draw between Palace and Norwich was
exactly what the doctor ordered.
The nature of the Southampton game left Harry Redknapp apparently
devastated in the post-match interview. They were 2-0 up inside 13
minutes at home to Villa, but then collapsed in the second half to
lose 3-2. Harry needs to get himself back off the floor before he
even attempts to try to do the same for his players ahead of another
tough game on Tuesday. They have now lost three on the bounce, conceding
three goals in each game, and now face two tough away trips to Champions
League chasing Bolton and local rivals Portsmouth.
Crystal Palace may be slightly more upbeat than Saints as they recovered
from being 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at home to Norwich but, in spite of
all his assurances to the contrary prior to the match, Iain Dowie
will have looked upon that game as a must win. They travel to Blackburn
on Wednesday before facing Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
As for Norwich, they had the game won at 3-1 and it is an opportunity
missed. Nonetheless, their victory over Man Utd last weekend means
that they are still in the mix, three points behind Palace and Saints.
They face a demoralised and under-strength Newcastle side at Carrow
Road on Tuesday, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them get something
out of that game. The Toon are on a slippery slope at the moment and,
with Dean Ashton in the form he is, the Canaries certainly have a
chance, although their defence remains their main problem.
So, against the odds, Albion remain in 17th place and now have a game
in hand. A point for Southampton at the Reebok on Tuesday will see
them drop back into the bottom three ahead of the game at White Hart
Lane, but their position has been strengthened. Nonetheless, it remains
a tough task for the Baggies as they face two tough away games this
week which will go a long way to deciding their fate.
I think that they need at least two points from these games to keep
them in the hunt, although with a few more days like yesterday as
far as our rivals are concerned, who knows.
Saturday was a good day for the Baggies - it's now up to them to take
full advantage.
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