West Bromwich Albion 1 - Sheffield Wednesday 1

Update:

Following a review by the EFL disciplinary panel, the red card picked up by Jay Rodriguez for the supposed stamping on Marco Matias has been rescinded. He will now be eligible to play at Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Day.

Full story at the Birmingham Mail web site

Mark Koppel:

On hearing the team just outside the ground, one had a heart sink feeling. When hearing that Bartley was one of the changes I nearly stayed outside the ground.

Two of the changes were enforced so to make two more didn't seem wise. Especially as the Crystal Palace League Cup game showed that when we start to go much beyond the first choice 11 our squad is too weak.

Player ratings:

• Johnstone (6.5) - I actually think he is slightly but gradually improving. Cannot think of anything he did wrong today.
• Adarabioyo (3) - Made more mistakes again today. The difference being, he got away with them in the last few games. I don't even think he is a Centre Back playing at Full Back. I think he is a poor Centre Back playing at Full Back. Surely a priority in January because to go into the season with no Right Back is pretty poor.
• Dawson (6) - Battled with their big lad but some of his passing was adrift today.
• Bartley (2) - Lovely white teeth but the worse West Brom player since.......? Yes you have to go back a long way.
• Gibbs (8) - Both defended and attacked really well today.
• Morrison (7) - Thought he was our best player in the first 30 minutes but then faded and was duly hooked.
• Sako (6.5) - Did put in a couple of dangerous crosses which may show if he can get back to his pre-injury form, then he will add value. But not to bleed him in with c.15mins against Rotherham and/or Wigan was asking too much of him to start today in a team with 3 other changes.
• Brunt (5) - Battled away and got the crucial equaliser. But let's not play him in central midfield at his age. Also over hit about 8 corners and free kicks.
• Livermore (6) - Did ok as a defensive midfielder. But when we go behind, not the player to create any chances.
• Hand Of Rod (4.5) - Really struggled to hold the ball up before his unlucky sending off. With Gayle injured we need to win the appeal, which we should do.
• Barnes (6) - His shots were mainly high and wide today but in the last 15/20 mins started to get the better of his full back. Really need to keep him for rest of the season as he remains a game changer.

Subs:

• Barry (7) - Class and composure on the ball. No taxis required next year.
• Robson-Kanu (4)- Proved how costly not having JRod and Gayle will be.
• Phillips (7) - Showed Brunt how to take a corner. Need him to stay fit.

Peter Wall:

Red Card? Never in a Month of Wednesdays...

The last scrambled injury time equaliser was The Hand of Rod – now we have The Toe of Brunt. At least it preserved the surprising statistic that WBA have scored in every home league game during the whole of 2018.

Being a self confessed "Glass Half Empty" type, I really do not feel that this squad and Manager are ready to take on the Premier just yet – and definitely not without Barnes and Gayle.

I do feel sorry for our right back (Tosin) because he just cannot play there – he is constantly beaten by quick wide men and seems obsessed with passing backwards — never mind the lack of concentration which led to the unnecessary corner from which the frightening Atdhe Nuhiu (usual spelling) scored with unmarked ease.

When did we last see Brunt and Morrison start a game together? Both have good football brains but are clearly knackered after 60 minutes – and what has happened to those dangerous in-swinging corners from Brunt?

Rodriguez seems to attract the wrong sort of controversy. I have seen the replay – never a foul, just a stumble unless he remarked about the Linesman’s bad breath? (Reference... Bong from Brighton, Jan 2018)

I was delighted to see that our great former player, Gareth McAuley, was awarded the MBE in the New Year Honours. A tremendous servant to both WBA and Northern Ireland. Well done GMac.

Brexit back on the Agenda soon — I gather the Germans have suggested a Penalty Shoot Out if No Deal reached by 29th March. No more news on those Drones – whatever happened to the famous Scotland Yard Flying Squad?

I see that the frightening young actress from Killing Eve, Jodie Comer, is on the 2019 list for Strictly Come Dancing. Anything less than an 8 and the Judges will meet an unpleasant end.

And finally... Today marks the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest WBA games.... Man Utd 3 - WBA 5.

Happy New Year to all our readers!

bucksjim:

My forebodings proved accurate apart from the last 10 minutes scramble as players thought we could actually lose this.

I thought neither side deserved to win, Wednesday were quicker off and on the ball, with a very tall centre forward and centre half Dawson had a real job to get ascendancy. However they were not ambitious and concentrated on timewasting throughout - helped by a soft referee. Thank heavens for our goal which possibly prevented some nasty scenes from a frustrated crowd.

We were slow and far too deliberate and seemed to have no plan A let alone a plan B. The team would be crucified in the Premier league. The quickest in the home team were the ball boys - excellent.

As a long retired goalkeeper (coached by a England international while at University while in the 1st team) I noticed several keepers in the Premier league (MotD) wore highly fluorescent outfits top to toe. To help Johnstons presence I would ask him to wear one, to help provide him with some visibility and presence. Lack of these is his main problem - too modest and shy now? Otherwise good positioning and distribution.

Should I be looking forward to Sheffield United?