After televising the nil-nil draw between these two sides in January, Sky have for some reason opted to return to the Hawthorns for this fixture for Albion's first live game of the season. With two wins in the last three games, Albion could be said to be on something of a revival. Victory over Arsenal was the perfect way to kick start the season and, after a disappointing defeat at Bolton, the Carling Cup win at Fulham on Tuesday evening was particularly pleasing.

The key thing to take from Tuesday was the performance of Junichi Inamoto. The fans had long called for his inclusion in the first team, but none could have expected him to make quite the impact he did at the home of his former club. The attacking flair coupled with steely defence, and the sense of drive and determination that he exhibited at the Cottage spread through the team and that needs to be continued on Sunday. The fans' chants of "Inamoto every week" must be heeded and I can see only a freak injury keeping Ina out of the starting line-up.

The match at Fulham saw the first real signs of what Albion could play like if they take the game to the opposition. Newcastle's notoriously leaky defence could be exploited if Robson sends out the troops to really get at them. Ina and Wallwork seemed to complement each other extremely well and with the pace of Kamara and Earnshaw, and the guile of Kanu, it looked like a potent attacking force. Ellington could easily slot in if he and Kanu swap places on the treatment bench, and there is the tantalising possibility that Zoltan Gera could make his return to the side. I suspect that he may not be fit enough to start given his lack of match practice in the past few weeks, but a place on the bench for a match winning cameo appearance might not be impossible. Greening will probably get the nod to start and it is strange to say that his form is the most worrying of the midfield quartet.

The real worry for Albion is at the back. With Michael Owen likely to return and N'Zogbia and Ameobi in good form of late, it will be a real test. The pace of the Newcastle attack precludes Big Dave's inclusion in my opinion, and I'd expect to see Clem and Davies as the central defensive pairing. With Robinson suspended, I'd switch Albrechtsen over to the left, assuming he is fit, leaving a choice between Watson and Scimeca at right back. Personally, I'd go for Riccy as Watson has never looked too comfortable at full back this term.

Newcastle are starting to get back to full strength with Emre back and in scoring form and Owen on the mend. Luque remains sidelined but Dyer and Solano are both fit after significant absences. On form, United will be an awesome attacking outfit but with a bit of luck, they won't all click back into gear straight away, and their defence remains their biggest problem.

My starting team would be:

Kirkland; Scimeca, Davies, Clement, Albrechtsen; Kamara, Inamoto, Wallwork, Greening; Earnshaw, Kanu.

On the bench: Kuszczak, Watson, Chaplow, Ellington, Campbell.

The victory over Arsenal has demonstrated that any team is beatable at the Hawthorns. If we can get a good start, and get the atmosphere rocking, we can show the TV viewers what Albion are really capable of.


Jon Want, 26th October 2005.