West Bromwich Albion 1 - Newcastle United 1

Summary:

Billy Jones's first goal for the club rescued a point for Albion after they fell behind in the 8th minute to Newcastle. Goran Popov, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Romelu Lukaku all started the game as Albion went for a 4-4-2 formation with Claudio Yacob and James Morrison in the centre of midfield, but the Argentinian looked off the pace for most of the first half and although he wasn't alone in that it was him that made way for Shane Long at half time.

Albion could have taken all three points if referee Mike Jones or his assistant had believed the Albion players' protests that James Perch's foul on Billy Jones had taken place inside the box, but it would have been harsh on the visitors, who looked more determined than they had in last weekend's trouncing at the hands of Sunderland, and would have flattered the hosts, who failed to record a single shot on target in the first half.

Albion remain in 8th place with 45 points, the highest placed team with a negative goal difference, and five points behind Liverpool in seventh.

Didcot Baggie:

I had a good feeling before this match - Popov in and starting with Lukaku up front. Those feelings were soon washed away by an abject first half performance in which only Billy Jones and Ben Foster emerged with any credit. No control, creativity or any indication that these players form part of a wage bill of ?50M per year. The introduction of Shane Long for the 2nd half improved things and we started to take the game to a very average Newcastle side. Billy Jones capped a great performance with his first goal for the Albion.

So we somehow contrive to edge towards a top 10 finish and possibly record points. But the real worry must be for next season. Lets hope SC and the Board have plans to keep Lukaku or find a replacement, bring in a quality attacking midfielder and a new centre back. If we don't want to be where Villa are now, then this will be vital. ?20M of spending - it what we need to do.

And SC - please try to be more positive in the tactics at home.

Boing Boing

Davo from Dudley:

Firstly, can I say a big "thank you" to the Newcastle fans for the way they impeccably observed the minute applause for Kit Man Dave. Not all away fans would have been so respectful.

As for the match, I am starting to query SC's team selection. Dorrans is not a wide player, Morrison is (or at leat was) Popov does not have the natural "outlet" to his game that Ridgewell does, and would make a better centre back than left back me thinks.

Brunty - for god sake take the Captaincy off him, his game has gone backwards, sideways at best since being made Captain.

Fortune, hmm seems to have lost the ability to hold the ball up as good as he did beginning of the season. Is he on his way?

As for the rest, a few flashes of good football, but I think they're already on the plane for their summer holidays.

All in all, a lot of money needs to be spent to consolidate. 2 full backs, a centre back, an attacking midfield player and a centre forward. Will JP put his hand in his pocket????

Paul Gainham:

I despair about our current trajectory - forget about the nonsense Clarke and the players are trotting out - we have now taken 20 points from 21 games - that's relegation form by any standard - thank f*** we started so well.

Yet again our approach to the game yesterday was abysmal - no fire, no tempo, no spark and just sit back and await the inevitable opposition goal. In the first half we did not have a single shot on goal, not one and we are at bloody home. Newcastle could and should have been 2 or 3 up at HT.

Second half we rallied but by then we are chasing the game.

Clarke is devoid of a plan, devoid of any strategy and we are now seeing his real ability as a first team coach.

I have said before and will say again we will struggle next year - we need a number of positions filling and a different approach - I am not at all convinced Clarke is now the man to lead that.

Maybe the start of the season we were on a Hodgson rebound or Clarke was not thinking about things too hard and just letting us flow.

Whatever, our current form is woeful and he seems completely incapable of seeing that and doing something about it. How many games now have we started poorly in the first half and had to chase the game in the second. Too many for it to be a co-incidence - this is Clarke at work and for those that believe that will serve us well next season, good luck to you.

Jenny Hall:

Totally agree Paul- I thought we were awful in the first half. I didn't understand the team selection- but then I never do. Without Malumbo the midfield was always lightweight so I would like to have seen Reid included. Jonas hasn't had a good game for weeks- cant pass a ball to a teammate and dithered again nearly giving a goal away. Lukaku and Fortune were so slow & I lost count of the times they were offside before a move started let alone the pass. My pet hate also is the slow ambling back when an attack breaks down. Both of them were guilty of this time & time again. Tony Brown always says there is no excuse for offsides- strikers are just too lazy to look- he must have been doing his nut yesterday. Was Brunt MOM?- I didn't see it- would have given it to Billy Jones. Subs again were at an odd time at the end. And as Fortune and/or Lukaku probably wont be with us next season why not give Rosenberg a start. Clarke bought him, apparently he is the best finisher in training so why not try?

I feel that, since Swansea, we have just thrown this season away - I hate getting beat, but if it is against much better sides that's just about OK. Most of the team, with just a few exceptions look as though they are already on holiday - wish I was, & not watching this tripe.