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West Bromwich Albion v Wimbledon
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. 21st October 2003, 7.45pm.
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You could almost see this coming after Saturday, but I never really believed it would happen. Despite all the possession and a succession of chances, we lost the game. But it is just one game and, while the last week could be viewed as disastrous, we're still in touch at the top so it can't be all bad.

Despite it being the obvious time to try out 4-4-2, Megson elected to stick with the eleven that started against Norwich, although the formation changed just twenty minutes into the game.

As expected (by the fans at least, if not the manager), Wimbledon came with the soul aim of avoiding another drubbing and lined up with five in midfield with Dean Holdsworth the lone forward. The conceded possession and territory to the home side who, unsurprisingly, found them difficult to break down with the 3-5-2 formation.

It took eleven minutes before Albion's first effort on goal when Haas got his head to a Koumas corner, but it was a weak effort that was easily gathered by Paul Heald in the Dons goal.

Albion played neat football between their back five with the midfield occasionally getting involved, but there was no penetration. Wimbledon were content to put their foot in and hoof it back towards the Albion goal with the slight hope that their lone striker could get close to it but, with Holdsworth rivalling the Fat Controller in porkiness, he rarely did.

After twenty minutes, Megson finally adopted the formation he should've started with, if not the players, and moved Gregan into midfield to make a 4-4-2. Wallwork moved onto the left wing with Koumas taking position on the right. It made a little difference, but Wallwork looked particularly uncomfortable on the left hand side and he and Robinson failed to combine effectively.

Haas did combine better with Koumas on the right, and create a great chance for Dobie with a run and cross. The former Carlisle man really should have scored but allowed a defender to block his effort from six yards.

A few minutes later, Koumas turned up on the left wing, jinked inside a defender and swung the ball into the box. It was meant as a cross, but it almost found the net as it evaded Hulse and Dobie and curled just wide of the far post.

Wimbledon had the first of their two efforts on goal on 36 minutes after Robinson gave the ball away, but Reo-Coker could only fire wide with a weak shot.

As half time neared, a goal seemed inevitable as Albion laid siege to the Dons net. Koumas shot just wide after receiving the ball from a Haas cross, Gregan shot powerfully from the 12 yards but could only find Heald's arms and the Dons 'keeper was forced into two fine saves, one from a Gaardsoe header and the other from a Gregan volley from the edge of the box. But the game remained goalless.

Megson brought Sakiri on at half time for the disappointing Wallwork but, as against Norwich, he lined up on the right side of midfield with Koumas on the left. Koumas looks comfortable anywhere on the field but Sakiri never truly looked at home on the right side and constantly moved into a more central position.

The first effort of the second half was from a Koumas free kick, the shot sailing just wide of the far post after Hulse had been fouled.

Megson finally arrived at what should have been the starting eleven when Hughes replaced Dobie on 56 minutes, and Albion looked a more potent threat with the Ninja on the field. A few minutes later, Clement came on for Robinson who hadn't looked anywhere near as effective without Koumas alongside him.

The best move of the match so far saw Koumas and Clement combine well on the left to release Hughes who jinked past a defender to get to the byline and laid a deft chip towards the centre of the goal, but a deflection sent it behind the on-rushing O'Connor who could only flick it over the bar with his heel. Moments later, Gilchrist made his best contribution to the game with a fine ball that released Clement down the left. His cross was dangerous but evaded Hughes by inches in the centre of goal.

A Koumas shot was deflected wide for a corner minutes later, and the resulting flag kick from Sakiri was met powerfully by Gaardsoe, unmarked just five yards out, but his header flew agonisingly wide of the post.

Surely the goal had to come, and it did with ten minutes left. Small broke down the Albion right and found Agyemang. The challenge from Gaardsoe was unconvincing and the ball rebounded off Gilchrist and found MCANUFF completely unmarked just twelve yards out, and he thundered the ball past Hoult. Clement probably should have closed him down better, but he was drawn too far across.

Albion tried hard to get an equaliser, with a long shot from Clement the best effort late on forcing a good save from Heald. Even five minutes of injury time didn't help, although Sakiri appeared to be unfairly challenged in midair late on as he tried to convert a Koumas cross. Mind you, on this night, I doubt we could have scored from a penalty.

Megson should've started with a 4-4-2 and, having not done, he should've changed the personnel earlier - the first half was effectively wasted. We looked a much more potent force with Hughes, Sakiri and, dare I say it, Clement on the field, but as time went on, and we pushed forward more and more, a goal on the break was ever more likely. Having said all that, Wimbledon did defend well although we had enough chances to win the game easily. It's a bad night, but it's one night, and we're still second in the table.

RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 WIMBLEDON 1

Marks

Hoult - 6 - Had nothing to do but pull the ball out of the net.
Gregan - 6 - Not bad, but still slow and fat.
Gaardsoe - 6 - Had little to do defensively and was unconvincing at the one time he needed to be solid.
Gilchrist - 5 - Other than one great pass, his contribution was decidedly poor.
Haas - 7 - Becoming one of our few attacking options; did well.
Koumas - 8 - Some more quality moments, but couldn't do it all on his own today.
Wallwork - 5 - Never looked comfortable, gave the ball away too often.
O'Connor - 5 - Busy and energetic, but wasteful in possession far too much.
Robinson - 6 - Not as effective without Koumas alongside him.
Dobie - 5 - Another less than inspiring performance.
Hulse - 5 - Poor showing, needs a goal.

Sakiri - 7 - Made a good contribution with neat passing and some good movement, but should surely be on the left!
Hughes - 7 - Far more accomplished on the ball than either Dobie or Hulse, did well.
Clement - 6 - Added a good attacking option, but was possibly at fault for the goal.

The Manager - 5 - I've said it all already, he got it right in the end but it was too late.
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist; Haas, Koumas, Wallwork (Sakiri 45), O'Connor, Robinson (Clement 62); Dobie (Hughes 56), Hulse. Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Volmer.
Wimbledon (4-5-1):
Heald; Kamara (Gier 72), Herzig, Leigertwood, Hawkins; McAnuff, Small, Chorley, Reo-Coker, Tapp; Holdsworth (Agyemang 61). Subs not used: Worgan (GK), Nowland, Gary.
Scoring: McAnuff (80) 0-1.
Bookings: Wimbledon - McAnuff (foul 49), Reo-Coker (dissent 76).
Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).
Attendance: 22,048
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