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Unlike two
years previously, promotion to the Premiership was expected by Albion's
fans, if not demanded. The mathematical confirmation of promotion
was thanks to Sunderland's failure to win at Wigan before Albion
kicked off against Bradford on 24th April, but as far as I am concerned,
it was all over six days previously.
In a small tribute to that fantastic achievement, here are my thoughts
on a few of the key moments.
A lost opportunity
On 28th February, Norwich's early kick off match at Sunderland was
postponed which left Albion the chance to draw level on points with
the Canaries at the top of the table. The previous week's stunning
victory at Sheffield United had promised so much, but Albion turned
in a lacklustre performance against a resolute Rotherham team, and
visitors snatched the points with a goal with seventeen minutes
remaining.
On the Saturday evening, the key players were positioned as follows:
|
| Pos |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
| 1 |
Norwich City |
32 |
12 |
2 |
2 |
27 |
12 |
6 |
7 |
3 |
23 |
15 |
63 |
| 2 |
West Bromwich Albion |
33 |
9 |
5 |
3 |
24 |
13 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
22 |
17 |
60 |
| 3 |
Wigan Athletic |
33 |
9 |
6 |
2 |
21 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
25 |
22 |
57 |
|
| 10 |
Sunderland |
30 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
18 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
7 |
20 |
23 |
48 |
Sunderland's
three games in hand meant that they could draw level on points with
Wigan, but their continuing FA Cup run and run of postponements
meant that their fixture list was very full.
The run begins
The defeat to Rotherham proved to be Albion's last before promotion
was secured. At Carrow Road on 2nd March, they began a run in which
the players showed a single-minded determination to win promotion
whatever was thrown their way, and in which the manager proved his
mettle as a motivator and a tactician.
A surprising tactical switch for the top-of-the table clash saw
transfer-listed James Chambers recalled to the starting line-up
to man-mark Norwich's playmaker Darren Huckerby. That move, plus
a fantastic defensive display from the rest of the team, saw the
free-scoring leaders held to a nil-nil draw.
The following Saturday saw the last Albion goal of the season at
the Smethwick End as Horsfield opened the scoring against Coventry
in the first half as Albion won comfortably by three goals to nil.
With Norwich not playing once again, Albion moved level on points
at the top of the table having played two games more.
Coming from behind
In 2002, the Baggies had come from behind to pip Wolves to promotion.
In 2004, they were in the promotion driving seat in second place,
but they had to come from behind in a number of matches during the
run-in to keep ahead of the chasing pack. Having done it at Bramall
Lane three weeks previously, Gresty Road was the scene of the next
turnaround when goals from AJ and Hughes won the game after Ashton
had put Crewe ahead. With Norwich losing at Cardiff, Albion were
level on points at the top having played a game more.
|
The
following Tuesday, 16th March, saw the most crucial comeback to
date, and probably one of the most important results of the season.
Wigan were the visitors and although they had dropped back a little,
they were sitting in third place, nine points adrift with a game
in hand. It was a real six pointer with a huge psychological edge.
A hard, gritty and bellicose game was heading for stalemate when
the referee harshly adjudged Haas of handling in the area with seventeen
minutes remaining. Liddell converted from the spot but the response
from Albion was nothing short of tremendous. They threw everything
at Wigan and a penalty from Lee Hughes levelled within five minutes
before the Great Dane popped up in injury time with the winner (pictured
right). |
|
With
Albion's game at Stoke City the victim of a bizarre postponement
due to high winds, they couldn't take advantage of Norwich's defeat
at Crystal Palace, although it meant only goal difference separated
the sides having played the same games.
Albion did better against the Eagles the following week, with super-sub
Lloyd Dyer scoring his first senior goal for the Baggies, keeping
Albion neck and neck with Norwich. But when they went to Portman
Road the following Sunday, Albion needed a win to keep the pressure
up on the Canaries who had won 5-3 at Burnley the previous day.
They had to come from behind again after an indifferent first half
performance saw the home side go in 1-0 up. A sublime free kick
from Koumas and another goal from Dyer saw Albion get in front,
but Bent's equaliser meant that it needed another late late goal,
a 94th minute winner from Horsfield, to give Albion the points.
It was another huge result as promotion began to look more and more
likely. But we were still looking over our shoulder at the Black
Cats who were eleven points behind with two games in hand with Albion
still to visit the Stadium of Light.
We watched helplessly as Sunderland proceeded to win their two games
in hand before we faced Gillingham at home - the gap was down to
five points. It was another tense affair at the Hawthorns but a
goal from Hughes with twelve minutes left secured the points. The
Baggies had won six games in a row and promotion was within touching
distance.
Bank Holiday Monday saw Albion's winning run coming to an end as
they drew at Millwall - but that was coming from a goal down with
ten men at half time which was yet another gritty performance. With
Sunderland losing at Ipswich, the imminent trip to the Stadium of
Light was always going to be crucial.
Joy in the North-East
We prepared for the Sunday afternoon kick-off in Sunderland with
a night in Whitley Bay and a walk on the beach in the morning to
recover (pictured below). We thought we'd had a good night,
but the events of the afternoon were so much better. |
|
It
was a vitally important game. Should Sunderland win, there was the
possibility that they could be level on points with Albion before
the kick-off against Bradford. If Albion could avoid defeat, it
would leave Sunderland with the mammoth task making up nine points
in five games.
Megson knew that, and set out his stall accordingly. It was one
of the best defensive performances I have ever seen - he was right
in his comments afterwards that if the Italian national side had
produced a performance like that, they would have been hailed as
tactical geniuses. Sunderland were restricted to a few half chances,
but most of their possession consisted of them passing the ball
across the halfway line.
|
Every
probe into Albion's defensive third was met by solid defense with
Gregan in particular epitomising everything that performance was about
with an immense display.
And then, deep into injury time, Lloyd Dyer, once again on as a substitute,
picked up a clearing header from Kinsella and sprinted forward. An
older head may have headed for the corner flag, but the youngster
played a one-two with Clement beat a man on the edge of the area,
before looking up and calmly squared the ball to Koumas. The Welsh
international seemed to take an age, but he sent all Baggies into
raptures as he side-footed the ball into the corner of the net to
give Albion three precious points(pictured right).
|
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The
celebrations from players and fans alike knew that it was all over.
A twelve point gap with five games to go meant that Sunderland had
an all but impossible task. Since losing at home to Rotherham, Albion
had taken a massive 23 points from a possible 27 to secure promotion
- a superb run at exactly the right time.
As it was, they didn't have to kick another ball before promotion
was secured as Sunderland lost at Crystal Palace and drew at Wigan.
It was a surreal moment at about 2.25pm on 24th April as the final
whistle went at the JJB. The players were warming up and huddled
together at the important moment in a great show of team spirit.
Albion are back in the Big Time after an absence of just one season.
With the pressure that has been on the team all season, it is a
fantastic achievement.
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