West Bromwich Albion 0 - Tottenham Hotspur 1

Date:	Sunday 3rd February 2013
Competition:	Barclays Premier League
WBA: 5.1	(4-4-2) Foster 7.0, Reid 5.9, McAuley 6.2, Olsson 5.7, Popov 2.6, Dorrans 6.4 (Rosenberg, 81 3.0), Yacob 5.5 (Fortun, 81 4.8), Morrison 4.8, Brunt 6.3, Long 5.6, Lukaku 5.6 (Ridgewell, 52 5.1) Unused subs: Myhill, Thomas, Jones, Tamas Manager: Steve Clarke 4.4
Spurs: 6.2	(4-4-2) Lloris, Walker (Gallas, 78), Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Sigurdsson, 86), Dembele, Parker, Bale, Defoe (Holtby, 39), Dempsey Unused subs: Friedel, Naughton, Huddlestone, Livermore
Scorers:	Bale (67)
Referee:	Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear) 4.4
Attendance:	24,978   Home Fans 5.5   Away Fans 6.0

Summary:

Albion's dismal form continuted as a single Gareth Bale strike condemned them to another defeat after going down to ten men at the Hawthorns. Claudio Yacob returned to action as Albion switched to 4-4-2 with Romelu Lukaku and Shane Long up front, while Steven Reid was recalled to right back as Billy Jones dropped to the bench.

The first half was a pretty even affair, possibly just shaded by Spurs with more shots off-target and more corners, but they faced a setback fifteen minutes before the break when striker Jermaine Defoe had to be replaced by Lewis Holtby because of injury.

However, just four minutes into the second half a clash between Goran Popov and Kyle Walker resulted in an exchange of words and a spit by Popov in Walker's direction. Referee Mark Clattenburg, prompted by an appeal from Walker, showed Popov the red card while most of the crowd looked baffled.

The game instantly swung in Spurs' favour, not helped by having to sacfifice Lukaku to bring on Liam Ridgwell at left back, but it still took a superb strike from Bale from the corner of the area to achieve the seemingly inevitable. Clarke brought on Fortune and Rosenberg to try and get something back, but it never really looked likely.

Albion remain in ninth place but the gap between them and the danger zone is dwindling at a worrying rate and two players are now due to eat some humble pie in the dressing room.

Derby Bernie:

I'm afraid Albion are becoming a boring team to watch. With two up front the main objective seems to be to lump the ball forward at every opportunity. This may work when the strikers have a good first touch but at the moment ours do not.

With one less in midfield we have lost the early-season ability to play the ball crisply through midfield. Mozza's loss of form doesn't help either. The fact that we didn't play our only effective winger (JT) meant that there was no width to the team and nothing was created from the flanks.

Frankly I think the manager has lost the plot. Did he not recognise that there was no width to the team? Apart from covering for Popov, his substitutions were bizarre. He brings on Fortune to play on the wing (when he patently is not a winger) and we had a very good one (JT) on the bench.

Secondly why bring on Rosenberg? All he ever does is stand still up front, just waiting for the ball to come to him. He doesn't find space, he doesn't make runs, he doesn't tackle back. Basically he doesn't look interested. Playing with ten men was difficult, playing with nine was impossible!

On a more encouraging note I thought a number our players had a decent game. The defence looked pretty comfortable (apart from when Bale had the ball). Brunty had his best game for some time and there were encouraging signs that Yacob is getting back to his best. It's just a pity that the manager got the system wrong.

Lamp Baggie:

Started 4-4-2 & conceded majority of possession to Spurs although we did create a few chances which I believe an in form & fit Shane Long would have scored - he just wasn't right today - but Spurs with extra man in midfield controlled game & even more so when Popov got himself sent off - poor decision taking off Lukaku - Shane wasn't right & it should have been him.

Bale - have to admit is quite a player & caused us problems all day long & he's gamesmanship will be well suited in the Spanish League - Clattenburg did us no favours once again.

SC is starting to struggle he looks very weary & is hardly inspiring when he talks he's played down our bad run of form but something needs to happen - we had our best spell paying 4-5-1 & we should have started with this formation today - with Dorrans in the middle JT out wide & Jimmy behind striker.

1-0 with 20 minutes left & we didn't go for it we caused Spurs a few problems they are not the best defensively but we didn't seem to have any belief.

The effort is there but little thought & application numerous short passes going astray - Jimmy & Jacob ran themselves into the ground - but surely we are better than that - Brunt looked much better out wide but still comes into the middle too often - need Mulumbu back ASAP.

Re Odem what can you say an absolute joke... but he does have a point about not playing in his best position - if we go 4-5-1 we have too many strikers otherwise we play them out of position - we have persisted with Lukaku but I'll keep saying he's not our player.

As for Rosenberg the question why is he still getting a chance... we had an excellent prospect in Wood but not even looked at in the Premiership.

Not all issues to do with SC as he is only head coach but if we had started the season in our current form would Peace have taken action?

What started out as a brilliant season is rapidly turning sour - we still need a couple of wins & the sooner the better.