West Bromwich Albion 1 - Manchester United 0

Date:	Sunday 6th March 2016
Competition:	Barclays Premier League
WBA: 7.7	Foster 6.8, Dawson 7.3 (Pocognoli, 55 7.3), McAuley 7.2, Olsson 6.7, Chester 7.0, Yacob 8.4, Fletcher 8.1, Sessegnon 5.9 (McClean, 69 6.1), Berahino 6.4 (Sandro, 88 6.0), Gardner 6.9, Rondón 8.6 Unused subs: Myhill, Anichebe, Lambert, Pritchard Manager: Tony Pulis 7.3
Man Utd: 5.3
Scorers:	Rondón (66)
Referee:	Mike Dean (Wirral) 7.0
Attendance:	24,878 Home Fans 7.5 Away Fans 5.8

oshawabaggie:

Well well well. Ten points out of twelve and undefeated against Leicester and Man U. Who would have thought it? Not I. After the Reading game the fans were revolting, if you know what I mean. Now Baggieland is awash in optimism. It just shows what a topsy turvey league this is - unless you are Villa, in which case it's all turvey and no topsy.

We were dealt two pieces of good fortune, the first being Yacob becoming unsuspended and then Mata's self destruct, which left them with tem men for an hour.

But even with eleven men Man U. didn't look like they were going to break us down. TP must be relieved that Rondon is now looking like the beast we all hoped he would be up front. He worked his arse off and took his goal superbly. Yacob was the other standout for me. He supported play all over the pitch and his distribution was better than usual. Berahino remains an enigma. He looked tentative and off the pace. Having a proper left back created the goal and I hope TP acknowledges that. Poco's crisp first time cross for Rondon would never have happened without the injury to Dawson and Chester's switch to the right to open the slot for Poco.

I would like to see TP give some of the youngsters a chance now to see what we have, but I doubt if he will. Also, we need to line up at least one quality fullback and a creative attacking midfielder in the transfer window. And if Berahino is going to go, we need another quality striker. Big Vic and plodding Lambert ain't gonna do it for us. Safety with nine games to go gives us a chance to think about the future. Will TP experiment or grind out as many points as he can? I suspect the latter, but I acknowledge his safety first approach has got us where we are.

michael mills:

Praise, where Praise is due!

Solid, professional team performance, that left Man Utd, looking more like Hereford United, than the world beaters, some of their fans, still think they are. All of the team played their part, but Yacob, Fletcher, and Rondon were awesome, and worked so hard.

Well done lads, and Mr Pulis. Yes you do get rewards for being more positive.

Even more proud to be a Baggie tonight.

Brendan Clegg:

Another positive performance played largely on the front foot - have we ever done this for 3 or 4 games in a row before under Pulis?

We continued to play an extra 20 yards or so further up the pitch and we carried on with our more recent patient approach - looking to work the ball until an opportunity to get it into the feet of Saido, Sess or Rondon becomes available.

And once again we were much better for it. Mata's sending off didn't really alter the way they or we played and in any case by then arguably Dawson or McAuley could/should have put us in front with very good chances.

A demonstration of our courage to press high in this game was Dawson, who despite having the pace of Martial to worry about in behind him, regularly pressed so high he was ahead of Sess.

I thought Fletcher and Yacob were outstanding. Fletcher looks about 5 years younger when he is allowed to take chances on the ball, to keep it and not to just hoof it into the channels the moment it comes anywhere near him. Time and again he twisted, turned, bought us some time under pressure and kept the ball well. Yacob did his usual solid job with aplomb but also showed great confidence on the ball and was willing to take it and pass it on in tight areas.

Up front Rondon was terrific again - benefitting from the movement and touches of Saido and Sess supporting him even though neither of them had effective game, and he once again ran himself into the ground, chipping away at the Utd back 4 and never giving up.

The whole team chipped in and did their jobs, but I think special praise should also go to the old timers at the back. McAuley and Olsson once again delivered a clean sheet for us against a side that cost ridiculous fortunes. Their concentration levels were high all game, they played it when they could and got rid when was necessary and they were physically dominant. Just to take McAuley as an example - he was twice the age of his opponent yet he matched him pace wise and overpowered him whenever it was required. These 2 have been unbelievable servants who will be sorely missed when their legs give up - but surely they are both worth another contract?

Foster - 6 Not a lot to do but generally sound.
Dawson - 7 Solid and an attacking threat until he went off.
McAuley - 8 As good as you will see defensively.
Olsson - 8 Another great performance - passing was better today too.
Chester - 7 Stuck to his job well on the left, looked more comfortable on the right. Turning a corner maybe.
Sess - 5 Nothing came off for him today but he kept working.
Fletcher - 8 Controlled the match - strong, good on the ball, led by example.
Yacob - 8 Won anything that came anywhere near him and was great on the ball.
Gardner - 7 Another good little performance. Doesn't offer the pace of McClean on the left but keeps the ball much better and has more upstairs. Corners were not as good as usual.
Saido - 6 Didn't quite happen for him, largely because Smalling was very impressive, but kept finding holes and occupying them.
Rondon - 8 A battering ram when he needed to be, worked the channels, good with his back to goal and he made the goal look easy when it was anything but.

Poco - 7 I thought he was faultless when he came on. Threw himself into physical aerial challenges (his weakness), gave us good balance and it was a wonderful cross. So pleasing to see a fullback crossing with real intent and putting pace on the ball.

Ancient Baggie:

Any win against Man United is always welcome no matter how it comes, ironically I felt we looked the better team before the sending off and when we had the extra man we didn't really know how to use it but I'll take 3 points and some endeavour any day and that's what we got.

Just a couple of observations:

I think when Sess is not on his game as he wasn't yesterday we really struggle to keep the ball (The only time we put more than 3 passes together second half we scored!)
Pocognoli has to start. He did well when he came on and will only get better with games.
I know this will be sacrilege to some but for me Olsson has to go, he's been a great servant for the club but his all around game has gone backwards and his distribution is woeful. Time to see if Chester or Dawson can step into the role.
Definitely need a striker and creative midfielder next season

But we beat Man United so happy days and we've surely got enough points to be safe now. Boing Boing

Baggyjon:

I have to admit that i had my doubts and still have in certain areas like player recruitment and blooding of youngsters. However it is true to say that in my opinion no other manager in the country could have motivated this team to keep our Premiership status with 9 games to go.

The sole aim of Peace and Pulis was to keep us in the Prem this season by what ever means possible. It hasn't always been easy on the eye but the rigid organisation has pulled us through. Those supporters pining for the days of Cunningham and Regis are living in cloud cuckoo land. The club does not have the resources to buy those equivalent players although having said that those pair only cost us £105,000 and Mahrez only cost Leicester £450,000. This is where the loss of Dan Ashworth was such a big blow.

I have to admit that Pulis has done a remarkable job and we would be ill advised to see the back of him in the close season. The signing of Fletcher and Jonny Evans were masterstrokes. However we do need to stand back and re-examine.

Olsson is looking a bit leggy now and McAuley cannot last for ever. Our lack of pace down the flanks needs addressing and we desperately need a quality mid fielder with vision. When Berahino goes we will probably need at least 2 strikers to replace Anichebe and the ineffective Lambert.

On the positive side glad to See Rondon fulfilling his potential and Chester seems to be adapting.

It will an interesting close season.

Didcot Baggie:

First of all a quick reply to Michael Mills who unfavourably compared Man United to Hereford United. Just to say the Mighty Bulls are top of their league with a record of 22 wins, 3 draws and 4 loses (5-0 win at the weekend) and are in the semi-finals of the FA Vase. So Man U were far from this good! As you can tell I have a secret liking for the men from Edgar Street.

Like lots of Baggies fans I'm left scratching my head with recent results. A team that struggled to beat lower league opposition in the cup (and eventually lost) is now capable of 3 wins and a draw in the Premier League. How did that happen? Rondon finds his form, Saido wants to play for us and Yacob and Fletcher put some steel in the midfield backed up by the old guard at the back, that's how. Is Pulis a genius - I don't know but he does know how to make the best of what he's got. Do I want him to stay? Probably not. I'd rather see a bit of adventure going forward - something say Brendan Rogers might bring. We'll need new players in the summer - a creative midfielder to cover for Mozza and replacements for all the stalwarts.

Still happy days and glad not to be a Villa fan!