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West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. 3rd January 2005, 8.00pm.
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Match
Preview
Result West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Newcastle United
Scorers None None
Attendance 25,259
Teams 4-3-3

1 - Russell Hoult (GK)
14 - Martin Albrechtsen
19 - Neil Clement
6 - Darren Purse
3 - Paul Robinson
2 - Riccardo Scimeca
24 - Ronnie Wallwork
10 - Andy Johnson
34 - Robert Earnshaw
9 - Geoff Horsfield
25 - Nwankwo Kanu 		4-5-1

(GK) Shay Given - 1
Olivier Bernard - 35
Titus Bramble - 19
Aaron Hughes - 18
Charles N'Zogbia - 14
Lee Bowyer - 29
Kieron Dyer - 8
Jermaine Jenas - 7
Laurent Robert - 32
Steven Taylor - 27
Shola Ameobi - 23
Substitutes 29 - Tomasz Kuszczak (GK)
16 - Cosmin Contra
4 - Thomas Gaardsoe
7 - Jason Koumas
11 - Zoltan Gera 		(GK) Stephen Harper - 12
Andrew O'Brien - 5
Darren Ambrose - 17
Martin Brittain - 39
James Milner - 16
Substitutions Z Gera for N Kanu (83) J Milner for C N'Zogbia (76)
Yellow Cards Andy Johnson (7)
Darren Purse (25) 		None
Red Cards None None
Referee N Barry (Scunthorpe)
After a run of five straight defeats at the Hawthorns, Albion should be pleased with a well-earned point against a tough Newcastle side. True, the Geordies were missing key players and aren't exactly pulling up any trees away from home, but they showed some real quality at times and it took a well-disciplined defensive performance to keep them at ay. Going forward, a surprisingly attacking formation saw the Baggies create some really good opportunities and, if you think about it, it's the first time Albion have looked like they could win a game at the Hawthorns since the last one they did win.

Robson has made the festive season one of surprises, but last night's team selection was the biggest yet. He opted to take Newcastle on with a 4-3-3 formation playing Kanu down the middle with Horsfield and Earnshaw either side. He did, however, decide to keep the midfield tight playing three defensive players in Johnson, Scimeca and Wallwork. At the back, despite Thomas Gaardsoe being available, he kept Clement in the centre of defence alongside Purse with Robinson at left back and Martin Albrechtsen got his first start under Robson, and his first since the 0-0 draw against Norwich, as a surprise choice at right back. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that, for the first time this season, Jonathan Greening failed to make the sixteen.

Souness, on the other hand, took the opposite view playing a 4-5-1 formation with Ameobi on his own up front, although with Bowyer, Jenas, N'Zogbia, Robert and Dyer in midfield, it could never be said that it was a defensive formation.

And it was clear early on that Newcastle had come for the win, not that there was really any doubt. For the first quarter of an hour it was all Newcastle as they pressed the Baggies back containing them in their own half. Bramble should've done better when he was presented with a free header six yards out from Robert's free kick, but the former Ipswich defender could only head straight at Russell Hoult. Bowyer then fired over from a good position and Ameobi tested Hoult after Purse was half asleep once again when Robert took a quick throw-in.

But Albion weathered the early storm and started to impose their own attacking influence on the game. Horsfield and Earnshaw were playing slightly withdrawn in attempt to offer some width for the midfield with Johnson and Wallwork, the widest midfield players, seemingly reluctant to go within fifteen yards of the touchline. That did give room for the full-backs to advance and Albion's best chance of the first half was carved out following a run from Clement. He may not have been playing full-back but he was allowed the freedom to get forward on many occasions. Clement found Wallwork about twenty five yards out and he tested Given with a thunderous shot that the Irish international did well to parry. The ball fell to Robinson and his cross was inches too high for Kanu and the Nigerian could only head the ball wide.

Kanu wasn't having his best evening, and it wasn't the first time that he'd left a pass short when he gave away possession once again resulting in a fierce shot from Bowyer that struck the foot of the post. It fell to Robert and Hoult recovered well to make a fine stop low to his right.

There was little other action in the first half as both sides worked hard defensively. Robson had obviously prepared his players well as the appeared extremely well organised with both Earnshaw and Horsfield given defensive responsibilities on the flanks. Horsfield, in particular, was working extremely hard up and down the right wing although Earnie, obviously used to having complete freedom, was often out of position when Newcastle were in possession, meaning that Wallwork and Johnson were pulled wide to meet several Newcastle attacks built by Taylor and Dyer on their right wing.

Nonetheless, the only other time Newcastle got near the Albion goal was when Bernard ran into the left side of the penalty area and clearly dived under pressure from Albrechtsen, although he did get up and was allowed to continue and reclaim possession. The Albion fans booed the Frenchman for the remainder of the match and a stronger referee would've booked him for "simulation".

It was Albion that had the last opportunity of the half when a long ball from Hoult wasn't dealt with by the Newcastle defence. Kanu and Earnie were both in attendance as the ball bobbled around the box and a shot from Kanu struck the heels of Earnshaw and bounced agonisingly wide of Given's post as he looked on helplessly.

After a cagey opening to the second period, Albion created their best chance of the game. Albrechtsen has a long throw, but he was struggling to get the distance right all evening with the ball generally falling between two Albion players. On this occasion he got it right, or at least Wallwork got a head to the ball and flicked it on to Horsfield. He used his strength to get past Hughes and powered into the penalty area with the defender seemingly hanging on to Horsfield's shirt. The Horse managed to get the shot off but it was well saved by Given - a less honest player may have gone down looking for the penalty, or should that be a smarter player?

N'Zogbia was starting to have some joy against Albrechtsen and he went past the Dane and pulled the ball back to Bowyer. Robinson threw himself at the former Leeds midfielder and deflected the shot high over the bar.

It was becoming a better game as both sides looked for a goal. Albion seemed to be lacking a ball-player in midfield as too many passes were misplaced - the midfield was solid, but it was lacking that creative spark. In fact, it was Neil Clement that seemed to offer that spark more than any other player as he pushed forward time and again from his central defensive berth.

A neat exchange down the left saw Robinson in behind and his cross evaded all until Earnshaw met it acrobatically at the far post, but he didn't connect as well as he would've liked and Given was able to make the save.

At the other end, Robert beat Albrechtsen with a neat trick but, with two players waiting for the low cross, he fired the ball over the bar. Later, a cross by Milner was headed goalwards by Jenas with Hoult beaten, but Scimeca was on hand to somehow clear the ball with his knee, although that was his only positive contribution to the entire game.

There was an incident when Barry was apparently about to give Andy Johnson a second yellow card after a clash with Olivier Bernard, until Horsfield persuaded the referee otherwise. However, given that the game was re-started with a drop-ball, it seems bizarre that Johnson would've been booked without a foul being committed. I thought Johnson played the ball but I didn't have a clear view.

With seven minutes to go, Robson brought Gera on for Kanu switching to an orthodox 4-4-2. The Albion fans had been calling for the Hungarian captain for some time as the side was in need of that little spark of creativity. However, I think Robson saw it as a more defensive move to protect the point as Gera made no real attempt to get too far forward.

The game then petered out to a goalless draw as neither side could find a way through the opposition defence.

It was a positive performance from the Baggies and you could see that the players looked a little more confident. There were even occasions when defenders took the ball off Hoult on the floor, something we haven't seen for a long time. The 4-3-3 formation was innovative and worked to a degree, although Earnshaw lacked the discipline to remain on the left side which left that side of the pitch lacking in options when attacking, and lacking in cover when defending. The midfield was short of a creative spark, although I can understand Robson's reluctance to play too many attacking players as the side seeks to rebuild confidence - maybe Greening in place of Scimeca, with Johnson at the back of the three, may have been a better choice.

All in all, Albion can be satisfied with a point and if they can get that win at Preston, they can approach the crucial next five Premiership games with a positive attitude. The seeds of recovery may be beginning to sprout, although the Great Escape theme tune that was played as we exited the Hawthorns was perhaps a touch on the early side!!


Marks

Russell Hoult - 7 - Another solid performance from Hoult, playing with much more confidence.
Martin Albrechtsen - 6 - Mixed bag; looks equally comfortable with his right foot, but he got too easily beat on occasion and needs to sort out his throw-ins.
Neil Clement - 8 - MOM. Excellent display from Clem. Somehow managed to get forward from centre back without being caught out, and looked assured alongside Purse.
Darren Purse - 6 - Made some crucial interceptions and clearances, but was caught now and again and gave away some clumsy fouls.
Paul Robinson - 7 - Encouraging display with some great defending and good runs forward; occasional lapses defensively and some poor distribution suggests he's not a long term solution, although this unbeaten run coincides with his return to the side.
Riccardo Scimeca - 4 - Dreadful. Distribution was diabolical, positioning was poor and he seemed lost in midfield.
Ronnie Wallwork - 7 - Good showing from Ronnie; not up to Sir Alex's billing yet but he's an improving player.
Andy Johnson - 6 - Better from Jonno. He's a great player off the ball and you can understand that Robson fears that the side would miss his energy were he to be dropped. Shame he can't pass or shoot.
Robert Earnshaw - 6 - Worked hard but looked uncomfortable on the left; needs to make more intelligent runs.
Geoff Horsfield - 8 - Great game from the Horse; worked hard, beat players, held the ball up, looked dangerous. Would've been MOM if he'd taken that chance.
Nwankwo Kanu - 5 - Off-colour; still great in possession but he gave the ball away too many times.

Zoltan Gera - 6 - Not much impact, but probably did as requested.

Bryan Robson - 7 - Brave choice of line-up that looked solid and almost brought the breakthrough win; maybe could've brought Gera or Koumas on earlier to give that spark that was needed, or started with Greening.

Jon Want, 4th January 2005.
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