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West
Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 26th February 2006, 3.00pm. |
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Match
Preview |
 |
 |
| Result |
West Bromwich Albion |
0 - 2 |
Middlesbrough |
| Scorers |
None |
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (17)
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (44) |
| Attendance |
24,061 |
| Teams |
4-4-2
29 - Tomasz Kuszczak (GK)
14 - Martin Albrechtsen
6 - Neil Clement
19 - Curtis Davies
3 - Paul Robinson
24 - Ronnie Wallwork
8 - Jonathan Greening
7 - Nigel Quashie
21 - Kevin Campbell
15 - Diomansy Kamara
25 - Nwankwo Kanu |
3-5-2
(GK) Mark Schwarzer - 1
Stuart Parnaby - 21
Emanuel Pogatetz - 12
Franck Queudrue - 3
Chris Riggott - 5
Gareth Southgate - 6
George Boateng - 7
Lee Cattermole - 39
Gaizka Mendieta - 14
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - 9
Aiyegbeni Yakubu - 20 |
| Substitutes |
20 - Chris Kirkland
(GK)
5 - Williams Martinez
33 - Junichi Inamoto
13 - Jan Kozak
22 - Nathan Ellington |
(GK) Bradley Jones -
22
Andrew Davies - 24
Ugo Ehiogu - 4
Massimo Maccarone - 18
Mark Viduka - 36 |
| Substitutions |
J Kozak for K Campbell
(58)
J Inamoto for M Albrechtsen (81)
N Ellington for N Kanu (81) |
M Maccarone for
J Hasselbaink (72)
A Davies for G Mendieta (80)
M Viduka for A Yakubu (88) |
| Yellow Cards |
None |
Gareth Southgate (34)
Lee Cattermole (49) |
| Red Cards |
Nigel Quashie (54) |
None |
| Referee |
M Dean (Wirral) |
The dust has settled
on another day of disappointment at the Hawthorns, but the feelings
of dread that most Albion fans are surely feeling will take a little
longer to subdue. With Birmingham City having won, albeit expectedly,
against Sunderland on Saturday, this defeat to Middlesbrough leaves
Albion just three points above the relegation zone having played
a game more than Blues.
It was another strange game. On the face of it, Albion passed the
ball well and created a few chances, but the cutting edge was sorely
lacking and Schwarzer didn't have a difficult save to make. The
visitors, on the other hand, showed that they do have that edge
by punishing Albion's most serious defensive error to go in front,
and then grabbed a fortunate second to effectively kill the game
on the stroke of half time. Were Albion not in such a precarious
position, it would've been a defeat that could easily have been
put down to bad luck, but poor results since Christmas mean that
it takes on a far more sinister profile.
Many will point to Robson's decision to play Kanu and Campbell together
up front. As I pointed out in my preview, the two had not started
a game together since the opening day, and given that neither will
run the channels and that both need someone to run off them, it
seems a strange choice. With Campbell having scored in each of his
last two games, and Kanu arguably Albion's most creative player,
it wasn't that much of a surprise, particularly with Kamara to provide
the runs from wide midfield, but it clearly didn't work. It is unfair
to say that this was the decisive factor in Albion's defeat, but
it looks significant, in hindsight, given the lack of movement up
front.
Albion fans will criticise Albion's forward play, and rightly so
to a point, but huge credit must go to Boro's defence. McLaren set
them out to defend and catch Albion on the break, and players executed
it perfectly. The three central defenders were superb and allowed
Albion's forwards no time on the ball once they were in and around
the area, biting into every tackle, blocking every shot and generally
hassling and harrying constantly. So much so, that had Albion been
up against the defensive performance that Blackburn put in a few
weeks back, I'm convinced that goals would've been scored.
Most games turn on a few key moments, and this was no different.
Clement and Robinson gave Hasselbaink far too much space to latch
onto Yakubu's pass for the first goal, and even then Kuszczak almost
kept it out. Greening should've done better with a shot a minute
or so later. And then the free kick which doubled the visitors'
lead before the break was unfortunate on two accounts. Not only
was the deflection cruel, but the award of the free kick itself
was a little generous. Ironically, it was Greening once again who
had a great chance to grab a goal back for Albion before the break,
but blazed it over.
It was always going to be an uphill struggle after half time, and
the unforgivable poor discipline from Nigel Quashie made it nigh
on impossible. Having already been sent of for Southampton this
season, the Scottish international faces at least four games on
the sidelines, with the likelihood of further punishment after the
referee cited him for using foul and abusive language to officials
following his red card. I hope he struggles to get back in the side
this season, as it will hopefully mean that someone else is performing
well in his stead.
Middlesbrough let Albion have the ball in the second half, but a
Kamara penalty shout and a good Schwarzer save from Kanu apart,
the home side rarely looked like capitalising on their dominance
of possession. The introduction of Kozak for Campbell, pushing Kamara
up front, had a limited impact. The Slovakian showed some neat touches,
but it would've perhaps made more sense to play him in a more central
role leaving Greening out wide. As it was, the former Boro' midfielder
attempted to act as the main architect for Albion's attacks, and
was not overly successful.
Once again, it was frustrating that Ellington was left on the bench
until there was a mere nine minutes remaining. He came on with Inamoto
and, while it is doubtful that an earlier introduction would've
made much difference, such a short amount of time leaves little
opportunity for a player to make any sort of impact.
The only Albion player to come out of the game with real credit
was Ronnie Wallwork. Once again, he was the real engine room in
the middle of the park, into every tackle and using the ball well
with intelligent accurate passes.
For the first time this season, Albion look in real trouble, potentially
just one result from disaster. The trip to St Andrew's in a fortnight's
time could easily be the game that effectively relegates one club.
A win for either would be a huge psychological boost, although with
nine games still to go after that, I'm sure neither side will admit
ultimate defeat.
That game at Birmingham is just one game in a series of tough tests
that Albion will face during March. Home games against Chelsea and
Manchester United and a trip to Tottenham Hotspur hardly promise
a plethora of points, but there is the hope that Albion's good form
against top-half teams will continue.
It looks like going to the wire once more.
Marks
Tomasz Kuszczak - 6 - Didn't have a huge amount to do; maybe could've
done better for the first goal.
Martin Albrechtsen - 5 - Other than one cross, offered little going
forward. One or two dodgy moments at the back but rarely tested.
Neil Clement - 4 - Remains the weak link at the back; positionally
gets caught too often.
Curtis Davies - 5 - Not looking as assured as he was a few weeks
back. Maybe the pressure is getting to him.
Paul Robinson - 5 - Distribution was a little wayward and was far
too wide for the first goal.
Ronnie Wallwork - 8 - MOM. Only Albion player to really earn his
pay packet. Another excellent performance.
Jonathan Greening - 6 - Tried hard, one or two good moments but
some woeful finishing.
Nigel Quashie - 3 - Did OK, but the sending off was unforgivable.
Kevin Campbell - 5 - Offered very little. One or two intelligent
moments, but just didn't look threatening.
Diomansy Kamara - 6 - Looked good at times, but his decision making
left a lot to be desired.
Nwankwo Kanu - 6 - Didn't look as fired up as he has done in the
past; couldn't influence the game as much without a willing runner.
Jan Kozak - 6 - Promising display; may get his chance to start with
Quashie out.
Junichi Inamoto - 5 - No impact.
Nathan Ellington - 5 - No impact.
Bryan Robson - 5 - He got the selection wrong today, although with
a little more luck, he may have got away with it. Another miracle
is now required.
Jon Want, 27th February 2006.
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