West Bromwich Albion 4 - Preston North End 1

Date:	Saturday 13th April 2019
Competition:	Sky Bet Championship
WBA: 7.3	Johnstone 6.1, Holgate 7.1, Dawson 6.6, Bartley 5.7, Hegazi 7.3 (Adarabioyo, 52 6.4), Gibbs 6.7 (Townsend, 60 6.2), Brunt 7.1, Livermore 5.8 (Phillips, 70 6.8), Johansen 7.0, Gayle 8.4, Rodriguez 7.2 Unused subs: Bond, Robson-Kanu, Harper, Murphy Manager: James Shan (c) 7.2
Preston: 4.7
Scorers:	Gayle (27, 32, 70), Rodriguez (44)
Referee:	Roger East (Wiltshire) 5.7
Attendance:	25,088 Home Fans 6.4 Away Fans 6.6

Brendan Clegg:

Weird game, strange situation and atmosphere.

Delighted to see Brunt, Hegazi and Gibbs return but was worried about the 3-5-2.

On the plus side for us, the whole team seemed to finally get the memo about not taking chances at the back so we looked solid for most of the game - I just felt we lacked quality in the middle and in advanced positions out wide.

We were quite dominant but going nowhere until Gayle peeled off and was found with an arching dipping 40 yard pass from Brunt to volley home. A great finish but the pass was the best I can recall in 5 years or more and my view of it from the back of the Smethwick was perfect.

We didn’t look back from there and despite being a bit rubbish went in 3 up at half time.

2nd half was more even, especially when Hegazi went off but we got vital minutes into Phillips, Gayle got a deserved 3rd and we saw it out.

The 3-5-2 wasn’t as bad as I feared when we cut out all the tippy tappy rubbish and JRod often dropped into midfield.

On to the next one. Neil looks very likely. Whoever it is we need to keep momentum up.

Sj - 6 Adequate
Daws - 7 Solid, simple on the ball.
Bartley- 6 Wrong side and rolled too often but brave and committed
Hegazi - 7 Not sure he’s happy in a 3
Holgate - 6 Some good moments but expect more.
Livermore - 6 Battled but he really is limited. Tried and failed a dribble when in on goal
Brunt - 7 He’s in there for heart and commitment but a worldy pass and another set play. Always fights
Johansen - 6 Works hard and covers the pitch but is slow and crap. Another diabolical first half but improved after the break
Gibbs - 6 Eased back in. Classy
Gayle - 8 Great all round and took chances
JRod - 7 Better deeper. Good goal but missed chances

Tosin - 6 Better. Took no chances
Phillips - 6 Rusty but get him fit FFS
Townsend - 5 Tried but exposed