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West
Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 1st November 2003, 3.00pm. |
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Gary Megson will certainly
be the happier of the two managers as Albion survived to take a
point in a game that, on balance, they deserved to lose. But credit
must be given to the players who were obviously feeling the effects
of their midweek exploits - they battled and worked hard and won
a point against a good Sunderland side.
The starting line-up was as expected with Robinson returning after
being cup-tied in midweek, and Koumas and Hughes in for Sakiri and
Dobie.
Sunderland started the game strongly and Albion struggled to get
any sort of possession. The Black Cats players were defending well
from the front forcing Albion into the long ball far too much and,
with both full backs pushing on, the Albion wing backs were having
little opportunity to get forward.
Sunderland were controlling the game but Hoult was rarely tested.
He had to save a free-kick from Oster early on and then from Kyle,
who had been presented with an excellent chance following an error
from Gregan.
Other than that, the three G's at the back repelled everything with
some excellent blocks, interceptions and tackles, with the Great
Dane in the middle particularly impressive.
As an attacking force, Albion were less than impressive in the first
45, but still managed to create shooting opportunities for Haas,
which was blocked, and Koumas who saw a 20 yard effort was kept
out by Poom. The best chance, however, fell to Hughes. A flick over
the defence from Koumas put the flame-haired striker through on
goal, but his firm shot was turned over by the Estonian 'keeper.
The otherwise subdued Albion fans were incensed when Williams, the
Sunderland right back, belted a ball forcefully into the crowd.
He was booed remorselessly for the remainder of the half and will,
in my opinion, be lucky to escape some sort of punishment for a
moment of stupidity.
Sunderland continued to press for a goal up to half time with their
high tempo in-your-face pressing forcing the Albion players into
a number of mistakes, but despite a series of corners, the Baggies
held out.
Hughes had been struggling in the lead up to the break, and his
groin strain prevented him from re-appearing for the second half.
O'Connor, who had been disappointing in the first half, was also
sacrificed with Sakiri coming on.
For the first few minutes, it appeared that Megson had finally decided
to play Sakiri on the left but, he passed instructions onto AJ to
switch to 4-4-2 and Sakiri and Koumas switched sides. To me it seemed
illogical, with Sakiri never looking entirely comfortable. Whenever
he went forward, he would never head for the byline but immediately
cut in to cross with his left, with the crosses less dangerous as
a result.
As it turned out, he was unable to get forward too frequently, as
Sunderland, through their debutant Downing in particular, attacked
persistently down the Albion right. Sakiri's lack of pace was evident
but he worked hard, with Gregan and AJ helping out. Haas, on the
other hand, seemed to drift infield too much leaving the Macedonian
exposed.
Albion looked a more potent attacking force as a 4-4-2, but they
looked more vulnerable at the back, particularly in the first few
minutes after the formation change. Sunderland continued to probe
and they broke through to test Hoult on a number of occasions.
Hoult was beaten on one occasion when Kyle pushed the ball past
him, but Haas made a fantastic goal line clearance. And the Albion
stopper had to be at his best to keep an excellent Kyle header out
moments later. Sunderland then had two chances when they really
should have scored. Whitley shot wastefully over the bar after some
good work from Stewart, and then Stewart himself fired a shot straight
at Hoult from twelve yards after some excellent play from Downing.
Hoult was beaten again a few minutes later, when Gaardsoe's header
was volleyed goalwards by Whitley, but the ball flew inches wide
of the post.
You felt that it was going to be Albion's day after resisting so
much pressure and, when Clement came on for a tired Hulse and went
up front, you wondered if the script had been written for an unlikely
Albion winner.
But it wasn't to be. Despite a few breaks from AJ and Koumas, the
balls never quite fell right for the hard-working Dobie or the makeshift
forward, Clement.
And it took an unbelievable save from Hoult to keep a clean sheet,
as he pushed Downing's 12 yard effort onto the inside of his far
post, with Robinson on hand to clear.
Clement did have a few efforts on goal with a shot from the right
that found the side netting and a cheeky backheel that Poom saved
after a good run from Dobie.
Albion held on for a well-earned point, even though Sunderland will
feel they should have won the game. Albion never really got going
as an attacking force but whether this was due to tiredness or a
lack of imagination, it's difficult to tell. Sunderland certainly
played well, and deliberately upped the temp in an attempt to capitalise
on Albion's midweek exertions. Determination and character saw the
Baggies through, just as it had done at St James's but, as a home
game, I still see it as two points dropped.
RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 SUNDERLAND
0
Marks
Hoult - 9 - Outstanding, apart from one moment when Robinson came
to his rescue.
Gregan - 7 - Good game from the skipper, but his decision making
is often flawed.
Gaardsoe - 9 - MOM. Just beat Houlty to the award, I thought he
was excellent.
Gilchrist - 7 - Much better performance from Gilly.
Haas - 6 - Not what we've come to expect from Bernie; particularly
uncomfortable in second half 4-4-2.
Koumas - 7 - Some good moments, but not in the game for long periods.
Johnson - 8 - Excellent, worked hard, won the ball well and used
it intelligently.
O'Connor - 5 - Busy and energetic, but wasteful in possession far
too much.
Robinson - 7 - Good solid game.
Hughes - 7 - Moved well, lively as ever. Shame he couldn't come
out for the second half.
Hulse - 6 - Didn't have the best service, but looked out of sorts.
Sakiri - 6 - Never looked comfortable on the right, particularly
when asked to defend.
Dobie - 7 - Worked hard and had some good touches.
Clement - 6 - Bizarre appearance as a striker, and is unlikely to
be repeated.
The Manager - 6 - He gave 4-4-2 a good 35 minutes in the second
half and we looked more potent than in the first half, but I can't
understand why he plays Sakiri on the right. Bizarre decision to
bring Clem on up front, but Hulse did look dead on his feet.
|
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist; Haas, Koumas, Johnson, O'Connor
(Sakiri 45), Robinson; Hughes (Dobie 45), Hulse (Clement 72). Subs
not used: Murphy (GK), Volmer.
|
Sunderland
(4-4-2):
Poom; Williams, McCartney, Breen, Arca; Oster, Healy, Whitley, Downing
(Thirlwell 90); Kyle, Stewart (Smith 87). Subs not used: Ingham
(GK), Wright, Bjorklund. |
Bookings: West Bromwich
Albion - Johnson (foul 24), Hughes (foul 28), Robinson (foul 32).
Referee: C Penton (Woolindean).
Attendance: 26,135. |
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