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West Bromwich Albion 1 - Southampton 0
oshawabaggie:I read some time ago that Tony Pulis will be taking part in a rowing marathon for charity in May. Well the way things are going TP won't need a boat, he can just walk on the water. I was skeptical that changing coaches half way through the season would do us any good, but after one defeat in 10 games, surely there is no doubt that TP was the right, and perhaps the only, choice. This was a classic Pulis victory - strike early and challenge the opposition to break down the defensive wall. These performances are not pretty (although the goal was brilliantly taken) but the team discipline and determination is very impressive. 'Entertainment' is not high on TP's priority list, if indeed it is there at all, but if he keeps us in the Prem, I think that is a trade off most of us will take. He has certainly found a way to get most of the players performing at their peak. In fact Brunt (wayward crosses aside), Dawson and Ideye (not so much today) are playing better than I thought possible. This was another strong team effort and I can't really pick out any one outstanding individual. Normally it would be unrealistic to think of us beating Villa twice in a week at their place, but, especially if Ideye and Berahino are fit, it is a distinct possibility. Boing boing! Brendan Clegg:The Pulis game plan worked pretty much to perfection. A few raised eyebrows before kick-off that we had no Sess or Macca when starting a home game. I would normally agree with those concerns but Southampton are a very good side and create lots via their fullbacks - Mozza and Gardner were there to stop that and they both did so brilliantly. We started really well and were the best team for the first 30 minutes or so, pressing high again and playing at tempo. Saido's goal was just class, and on his wrong foot too. The kid has just got it. Gardner should have added a second but side-footed tamely at the keeper from 8 yards after taking a long ball down. After Saints changed their formation they eventually took control but we were disciplined, rode our luck a bit, defended well and probably created the better opportunities - Fletcher should have scored probably and Ideye should have done better when through on goal before checking back on his right foot and losing the ball. We did concede a lot of ground and play like the away team for long spells and Pulis was happy to make the most defensive substitutions available - perfectly understandable because Southampton are a very good team and a point before the game would have been a good result. Despite a few very close shaves Foster didn't have a real save to make. We did employ the Pulis tactics we saw so often at Stoke from very early on in the game - taking every opportunity to kill time or kill the game. You can understand Southampton's frustration. I get it. It is successful if not all that palatable. In the end a massive result and you have to credit Tony Putin. Defensively we have generally been magnificent since he arrived - there were times today when it was almost an art-form in itself. The players were so well drilled again. Not far away from safety now and a huge couple of games to look forward to against the Villa this week. I predict Tuesday might well be another ugly affair but, hopefully, Saturday the shackles will be off a bit and it could be a great game.
Mark Koppel:A fantastic 3 points against a Team 5th in the Premier League. Those who did criticise Tony Pulis and Saido Berahino, hopefully you now realise you know nothing about football. Just hope we haven't paid too high a price by losing both our strikers for the week we play The Vile.
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