Four points from two games represents an excellent start to the season for the Baggies, but that should be tempered by the fact that we got away with it against a very poor Portsmouth team. After dominating the opening stages, Albion failed to push on and allowed Portsmouth back into the game by conceding a worrying number of free kicks around the penalty area. Had Robert managed to reproduce his best free kick on the other occasions, it could have been a very different result.

Robson made three changes to the side that earned a point in Manchester, bringing in Watson to replace Albrechtsen at right back, Johnson replacing Inamoto in midfield and Horsfield in place of Kanu up front. Horsfield I could understand with Robson opting for the battering ram attack that served him well last season against a big Portsmouth back line, and Watson deserved a chance in spite of Albrechtsen's promising display last week. But the return of Andy Johnson was a mystery that I hope was down to Inamoto picking up a knock. There's been no suggestion of any injury from the club, but I thought that Wallwork and Inamoto worked well together at Eastlands and we all know AJ's shortcomings. Robson had praised AJ for his performances during pre-season, so I guess he felt that he deserved a chance.

As it was, I saw little to suggest that AJ is worth a place in the side. He worked hard as always and did hit the odd good pass, but he made the wrong decision on far too many occasions and was frequently guilty of giving the ball away carelessly. I actually think that he contributed to the panic that set in late on in the game when Pompey were chasing an equaliser - he's hardly the calm head assured in possession that central midfield needs in such situations. Johnson is not a bad player, but Robson has far better options in the current squad.

AJ aside, it was an OK performance from the team. Kirkland was confident and self-assured without having to make a save - he had no chance with Robert's free kick. Watson had an excellent game at right back showing ability on the ball that surprised me - he lacks the pace that Albrechtsen has but his experience and intelligence may make his a slight favourite for the right back position. On the other flank, Robinson was excellent once again both defensively and as an occasional forward. He was on the end of a wonderful first half move firing a fierce shot just wide. However, he did try to play out from the back a little too often and was guilty of the panic that set in late on. Of the two centre backs, Clement was the better as he continues to prove that he's finally found the position in which he can realise that potential we've always seen. Gaardsoe had a decent game but was the player most guilty of giving away silly free kicks. It was a tendency he displayed on occasion last season and it is one that needs to be addressed if he is to become a quality centre back.

Greening was excellent in the first half supplying a wonderful cross for Horsfield's opening goal, although Perrin will be disappointed with the quality of Portsmouth's defending. He looked dangerous in attack and worked hard to support Robinson, dropping in when the left back roved forward. The one thing that let him down was the quality of his set pieces in the second half. He failed to beat the first defender on more than one occasion and it is an area he needs to work on. Gera looked like he'd had a hard game in midweek. He is the mainstay of his national team and he never puts in his best performances after an international week. He apparently played a blinder for Hungary in Wednesday but was a shadow of his usual self on Saturday. He worked hard but it was more a case of tired passing than tired legs - I was not surprised to see him taken off. It's perhaps encouraging that Albion have picked up four points from two games when arguably our best player has failed to make an impact in either game. Alongside AJ, Ronnie had another solid game providing the calm influence that the Welsh international could not.

Up front, Horsfield was outstanding. He and Campbell do seem to work together well, particularly when faced with big bruising centre backs. Both can hold the ball up, win the flick ons and are willing to work. The Horse has a little more pace and is happy to the run the channels, a job he does extremely well. His second goal was a little fortunate but well deserved, and it gave Albion a little comfort zone that they definitely needed.

After the early goal, Albion were well on top. The Pompey defence was all over the place and Albion were playing some neat football. But they didn't really press their advantage and allowed the visitors back into the game. There were a few scares before the break and Portsmouth started the second half much brighter. Albion's second goal was well timed and should've meant a more comfortable second half, but Robinson gave away a silly foul just four minutes later, and Laurent Robert fired in an unstoppable free kick.

The effectiveness of the front two was beginning to wane as they tired. But when the substitution came, it was Gera that was replaced with Albrechtsen, with Watson moving onto the right flank. Albion showed very little as an attacking force from then on, but looked reasonably comfortable at the back until the last fifteen. The team do not quite have that confidence that they can see a game out, and they started to panic, giving away silly free kicks that gave Robert further opportunities to test Kirkland. Despite looking exhausted, Campbell played the full ninety minutes although he did get a more lively partner late on when, with a choice of Ellington, Kamara and Earnshaw, it was the Welshman who got the nod. But rather than replace a forward, it was Watson who went off with Horsfield dropping back onto the right flank.

There was one real scare towards the end when a quick free kick gave Viafara a good chance at the far post, which he blazed over, but that was about it. That was probably due to an inept Portsmouth team rather than a good defensive display, but it should at least add to Albion's confidence.

Earnie had one attempt in injury time that he fired straight at Westerveld, and generally did well when he came on, holding the ball up much better that he has done in the past.

The result was more important than the performance, particularly with a trip to the Bridge this week, but we should remember that Portsmouth were poor. After Chelsea, Albion have three winnable games against Birmingham, Sunderland and Wigan that could shape their season, or at least the first half of it. If Albion can build on this good start and pick up seven or even nine points from those games, that mid-table comfort zone will look much more realistic.

Marks

Chris Kirkland - 7 - Little to do but looked assured.
Neil Clement - 7 - Another decent display.
Thomas Gaardsoe - 6 - Needs to concede less free kicks, but did OK.
Paul Robinson - 7 - Another good performance.
Ronnie Wallwork - 7 - Steady as always.
Steve Watson - 7 - Very impressive display.
Zoltan Gera - 6 - A little jaded.
Jonathan Greening - 7 - Good game but needs to sort out his set pieces.
Andy Johnson - 5 - Sometimes good, but sometimes awful.
Kevin Campbell - 7 - Solid performance but tired after an hour.
Geoff Horsfield - 8 - MOM. Two goals and an excellent tireless all-round display.

Martin Albrechtsen - 6 - Did OK.
Robert Earnshaw - 7 - Impressive final few minutes.

Bryan Robson - 6 - Perhaps needed to inject some pace into the attack earlier; Pompey were there for the taking.


Jon Want, 21st August 2005.