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West
Bromwich Albion v Fulham
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 18th September 2004, 3.00pm. |
| 13th September 2004
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| Position |
18th |
16th |
| Form |
L D D D L L |
W D W L L L |
| Last Match |
Liverpool
(A) 0-3 |
Arsenal (H) 0-3 |
Last Meeting
19th February 2003 |
Fulham 3 (Saha
72, Wome 74, Malbranque, pen 77)
West Bromwich Albion 0 |
Last Baggies win in this fixture
was 1-0 on 31st August 2003
A goal from Darren Moore just after half time
gave Albion their first ever Premiership victory two seasons ago.
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Having started the
season with a draw and a win, Fulham have slumped to three straight
defeats at home to Middlesbrough and Arsenal, and away at Portsmouth.
They will view this fixture as a chance to get their season back
on track, and it is, perhaps, more important for the Baggies.
Judging by his performance at the Hawthorns, Sean Davis was the
big loss for Fulham, but they also saw Albion signing Inamoto slip
through their fingers to our benefit. With eight more players leaving
the Cottage (or Loftus Road(!)) including Steve Marlet on loan,
Fulham had to bolster their squad. They brought in five players
including former England international Andy Cole and Scot Billy
McKinlay on free transfers as well as Claus Jensen, Tomasz Radzinski
and Senegal international Pape Boupa Diop who made his name scoring
the opening goal in the World Cup in 2002.
Those new players have joined a decent group of players with Luis
Boa Morte, Edwin van der Saar and Sylvain Legwinski catching the
eye. Steed Malbranque has been one of their most consistent performers
over the past few years, and although he has been out with a pelvic
injury, it is possible that he could be back in contention for the
game at the Hawthorns. Lee Clark is the other "big" name on the
treatment table, but he is still a few weeks away from a return
to action.
Fulham can consider themselves unlucky to have lost by three goals
to Arsenal in a match full of controversy. The previous defeat at
Portsmouth was a real thriller which showed their ability to find
the net but also exposed their frailties at the back. The central
defensive pairing of Goma and Knight looks good on paper, but Fulham
have already conceded ten goals this season, with nine of those
coming in the last three games.
With a full week to prepare, it may be that we see both Contra and
Earnshaw in the starting line-up on Saturday. I think Earnie will
definitely start but I'm not so sure about Contra. Albion need to
get three points in this game, and I think Megson will put out an
attacking line-up with, perhaps, both Gera and Koumas on the field.
What is important is that, if we do get an early goal, we carry
on and push for the second - we cannot afford to sit back.
As I've already said, Fulham need points every bit as much as the
Baggies, and they have the players to hurt us, but we also have
the players to hurt them. The defensive displays in the last two
games from Albion have left much to be desired, but if we can return
to the form shown in the first three, we should be able to keep
Cole and Boa Morte at bay. One thing that may emerge from the team
bus incident is that Tommy may not start again, which is a shame
as I think he's looked a little more solid than Albrechtsen, although
my Dad's suggestion of trying Martin at left back in place of Robinson
may be worth a look.
My predicted line up:
Hoult; Scimeca, Purse, Albrechtsen, Robinson; Gera, Koumas, Clement,
Greening; Kanu, Earnshaw.
Gera is probably more hope than what my head says Megson will do.
Another hope is that Sakiri will make the bench, although it's more
unlikely.
Three points on Saturday may be seen as a stay of execution by the
press, anything less will certainly lead to louder cries for Megson's
head although I believe that would be unfair. Having said that,
it will be a big big blow if we do not win this game.
Jon Want, 13th September 2004.
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