West Bromwich Albion 2 - Bolton Wanderers 1

Date:	Saturday 2nd October 2004
Competition:	Barclays Premiership
WBA: 8.1	(4-4-2) Hoult 5.4, Haas 6.8, Gaardsoe 7.0, Moore 7.5, Albrechtsen 6.8 (Dyer, 81 5.8), Gera 9.1, Scimeca 6.6, Johnson 6.3, Greening 7.7, Horsfield 6.3, Kanu 8.3 Unused subs: Kuszczak, Contra, Earnshaw, O'Connor Manager: Gary Megson 7.5
Bolton: 5.4	Jaaskelainen, Ben Haim, N'Gotty, Jaidi, Gardner, Nolan, Campo (Kaku, 65), Speed, Okocha, Pedersen (Stelios, 58), Ferdinand Unused subs: Barness, Oakes, E Diouf
Scorers:	Kanu (57), Gera (65); Stelios (73)
Referee:	Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear) 6.3
Attendance:	23,849 Home Fans 7.8 Away Fans 4.2

Dave Watkin:

Crisis? What crisis?

In the end it's players (not managers) who win or lose matches and the reason we won this one was that several of ours had their best games of the season.

Zoltan Gera was a revelation as he gave the best performance by anyone in an Albion shirt this year. He was involved in everything and after making the first goal fittingly it was he who rose to head what turned out to be the clincher.

Another player who has been frustrating up until today has been Albrechtsen, but he settled well into the left back role in his most impressive showing so far. Big Dave was dominant at the back such that we didn't miss Darren Purse, Greening delivered a lot of the ammunition for the forward players and Kanu showed some inspired touches, whilst the Horse did enough to justify his selection.

The side Gary Megson picked had the right combination of flair and grit to do the job, so congratulations all round.

TEAM NEWS

There were four changes, two courtesy of the FA, with Darren Moore and indirectly Bernt Haas replacing the suspended Darren Purse and Neil Clement. The other alterations saw Zoltan Gera preferred to Jason Koumas, the latter omitted from the substitutes bench due we're told to an ankle injury picked up in training and Geoff Horsfield replacing record signing Rob Earnshaw.

HIGHLIGHTS

Once Albion settled they put pressure on the Bolton rearguard when firstly Zoltan Gera hit a shot which was deflected over the bar. Then from a Jonathan Greening corner the Wanderers had two let-offs in quick succession. Darren Moore's powerful downward header was hooked off the line but only as far as Gera who tried a spectacular overhead kick which glanced wide off a defender's head. The final act in a good spell from the Baggies came when Greening controlled the ball from a long throw but under challenge could only volley over the bar.

Albion fans' hearts were in their mouths, when after a mesmerising run, Gardner hit a fierce low shot to the near post which the startled Hoult spilled. Fortunately the player following up could only hit the outside of the post.

The half ended with a piece of alert play from Gera which merited a goal. He nipped in to win a loose ball on the right before cutting across the defenders and curling an exquisite left footed shot which was just wide of the left hand post.

In the 57th minute Albion got the breakthrough they deserved with a delicate touch at the end of a flowing move. The ball was played from wide left to the right for Big Dave to pick out Zoltan on the touchline with a searching pass. The Hungarian captain cut inside and threaded a pass into the area where KANU reacted quickest to flick the ball past the helpless keeper.

The Baggies were now playing really well and in the 65th minute got a bit of breathing space by netting a second goal from a left wing corner taken by Jonathan Greening. The ball was swung in and it was man-of-the-match ZOLTAN GERA who timed his run to the near post perfectly to rise and nod the ball decisively over the line.

Albion were cruising until in the 73rd minute the visitors were awarded a soft free kick wide left. The substitute GIANNAKOPOULOS struck a shot which one would normally expect Hoult to cover, but it somehow squeezed past a number of flailing arms and legs into the net.

We were in for an anxious last quarter-of-an-hour, especially when Albrechtsen was forced to retire to be replaced at full back by young Lloyd Dyer. Shots flew just wide or high, clearances were scrambled away until in the four minutes of added time Albion calmed it down and held possession to gain a thoroughly deserved first victory of the season.

ALBION FORMRATE : VERY GOOD

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH : ZOLTAN GERA

LEAGUE POSITION : 15TH

REALITY CHECK

We've now played eight games and six of these have been against teams from the top half of the table. Our three defeats have been away against the 3rd, 7th and 10th placed sides (with the latter two having games in hand to move higher). We've just beaten the 5th placed side and our only real underachievement was the failure to put away Fulham who, to speak plainly, cheated their way to a point.

There is general agreement in the serious media, Match-of-the-Day and Alan Green on 606 for instance, that we're fools to be considering replacing a manager who has given us so much success. When past premiership failures such as Gordon Strachan, Bryan Robson and Glenn Hoddle are spoken of as successors I shudder. I've got great respect for Bobby Robson but he can hardly be considered one for the future.

There's been a lot of nonsense written about formations (4-4-2 v 3-5-2) and whether our current manager can cut it in the Premiership. He didn't have the players last time around, but we've now got a squad which stand a chance, with a tremendous team spirit, witness Scimeca and Purse throwing themselves in front of the ball at Newcastle.

In my humble opinion, we the supporters and the Club should put our energies into getting behind him and the players for the rest of the season and not indulge in any more divisive speculation.

Bryn Jones:

'There's only one Gary Megson' they sang yesterday. But the way the team played yesterday suggested there may be another Gary Megson. One whose team play reasonably clever football, eschews the big boot 'passing' and makes full use of the skills of its more talented performers.

The evidence for me was when Big Dave picked up the ball half way in our half on 57 minutes. For the past three years you could guarantee that an Albion defender in that position would welly the ball towards a forward's head or vaguely 'into the channel' for an attacker to try to run 30 yards to get to.

Instead with unaccustomed delicacy Moore carefully stroked the ball down the wing to Gera. From Gera's turn past the defender and low cross, of course, Kanu had a relatively easy three yard run into the goal area to slot home.

Magic. Simple two passes and we score.

In truth Bolton's reputation looked to be grossly inflated. They looked very ordinary. Moore dominated the over-the-hill Ferdinand with ease. Indeed having DM as captain seemd to play a major part in the overall performance. His calm but strong presence seemd to spread confidence al around him. Much better than the more athletic but spoiling style of Purse.

The other reason for thinking that Meggo has seen the light was playing Sciemca in central midfield. He didn't do anything spectacular but seemed much more at ease than at right back. Unlike Clement he also knows instinctively when and where to occupy space and when to close mark. Clement also, to my mind, tends to drift wide too much.

The Moore, Sciemca presence gave the whole team the spine that it has been lacking so far. The spine extended to the excellent Kanu. How refreshing in an age of pace and power to find a forward who use his brains and footwork to buy the time his slow pace would never give him.

To see Kanu making fools of the Bolton defenders and winning free kicks (Kanu has won the third highest nuber of free kicks in the Prem this season) as they lunged foolishly at him was almost worth the admission price alone. It brought to mind the King in the 1960s who also used willowy physique to bamboozle defenders. As for Gera - well what can you say? The headed goal - which for a bloke his size he had no right gettiong near - simply capped an inspirational all-round performance.

A truely skillful player who reminds me of Ronnie Allen in his ability to play wide or go for goals from a more cntral position. If only he could be played a bit closer to Kanu his scoring potential would be even greater.

The main worry though was the old resort over-deep defending in the last 15 minutes that gave Bolton the intitaitive and nearly threw away the lead.

So it looks as though there may be more than one Gary Megson. Although the suspicion remains strong that - despite his claims to the contrary - the much improved formaiton wouldn't have been chosen if Koumas, Clement and Purse had,'t been ruled out.

^# Aye-aye aye-aye ... Gera is better than Koumas #~

King Kanu rules the waves.

blackcountry:

A difference yesterday was that we usually looked to pass the ball, with Koumas in the team we give him the ball, he dribbles a bit and often loses it, with Gera (and Greening, yesterday) we got the ball and looked to play a pass - it makes such a difference. Moore looked like a footballer - he passed the ball instead of hoof to safety. His heading was brilliant, Ferdinand may not be what he was but can still head if left unmarked.

Greening was a constant threat, best performance he has had in a striped shirt - looked like a great player instead of a bit player. He seemed to be constantly discussing things mainly with Kanu others - we are bonding as a team.

Kanu & Horse ran themselves into the ground for the cause - Kanu was so done in, he retreated to the halfway line for a breather late on, this shortended the pitch for bolton - perhaps Earnie could have come on to occupy the Bolton defence.

If Zola was big enough for the Premiership, then Gera is!

When Haas made a mistake giving the ball away, he chased down his man and got the ball out to safety - taking responsibily for your actions improves the whole team.

MA looked good enough - and apparently he was ill !

All in all a very good team performance - Gera was my Man of the Match, followed closely by Greening.

John Painter:

I really am surprised at Bomber Brown. He was joining in with Tom Ross's ramblings about how our Chairman could end the uncertainty over the Managers future quite easily for a good 15 minutes after the game. Clearly neither of them had read the press release by the Albion on Friday and again on Saturday. Or is it that they wish the Albion to do exactly what the FA were berated for doing with Sven? Offering a new contract too early.

Still it added to the hype and emotion that was attached to the first win of the season. Megson should stay as manager for now, and depending on how results go with the new squad that he has assembled then the Board would be right to either offer him a new contract or replace him as manager later in the year. I would say by the time we play Manchester United we will know if we are going to be in with a chance of surviving.

A much needed and deserved victory as Bolton were but a shadow of the team that had drawn with Arsenal and Manchester United and beaten Liverpool, but credit must be given to the Albion for turning in a strong workmanlike performance with some great skill too boot from Kanu, Gera and Greening in particular. Was this a result of players who were missing?

Haas showed the form that he had begun his Baggies career at right back; Big Dave was commanding at the heart of the defence and his pass to Gera that led to the first goal was something that would have made the pundits purr with delight if the forgetful Mr Ferdinand had made it; Scimeca highlighted that perhaps it should be he (and I have no wish to decry Clements's performances) not Clement that should be the holding player in midfield; the Horse was a useful battering ram for the Bolton defenders; Albrechtson showed that he could be a left back for now although clearly not his preferred position; and Gera showed that he has the skills of an on form Koumas and a greater desire to be a team member rather than the only person that the ball can be played through. So much so that at the end of the game (and partly in respect of his performances so far this season it was a case of Jason who?

The first goal was a gushing move. A pass from Moore to Gera, Gera moves inside and with his left foot whips a cross into the penalty area where the world class Kaaaaaaaanuuuuuuuuuuu was waiting to divert the ball into the net. The second a little more simple. 5 ft 8 in Gera out jumps the tall Bolton defence with a near post header from Greening's excellent corner. No more than Gera deserved and following his tumbling routine a few words of Hungarian to the TV camera in close proximity.

There was time for Bolton to get one back with Hoult failing to come for a cross from Stelios's free kick and the ball rather tamely finding the net. Time for Big Dave to let Houlty know that he shouldn't have done that. For the rest of the game Bolton huffed and puffed but couldn't find a way through and get the ball on target, while the Baggies tried to add by being quick on the break until Greening and Scimeca worked to run the clock down in the corner.

I don't know where the referee got 4 minutes of added time from (he played 5!) but it seemed like 20! The final whistle went and 2-1 means that we have 7 points from 8 games.

It is probably asking a lot but in our battle to survive the next 2 games are also must wins, Norwich and Palace. A good October could see us with 13 points from 11 matches and all the worry of the press about Megson would almost be over. Blackburn, Fulham, Southampton all have major problems and could well be filling one or more of the bottom 3 positions come next May.

Hoult 5
Haas 7
Gaardsoe 8
Moore 8
Albrechtson 7
Gera 9
Johnson 7
Scimeca 8
Greening 9
Kanu 9
Horsefield 7

Sub

Dyer 6

Megson 7
Team 8
Bolton 6
Our Fans 8
Their Fans 5 (why do so few travel?)

MonkeyMagic:

This performance reminded me of the Villa game a few weeks ago. Albion began nervously while Bolton dominated possession. However the Baggies grew in confidence and soon matched the quality Bolton side.

The most influential players for Albion were Kanu, Gera, Greening and Moore. This was an excellent performance for recalled Moore. Again he was an excellent leader, imposing solid defender and a great target for set pieces going forward. Kanu and Greening provided onball skill and trickery which both troubled Bolton and gave confidence to the other Albion players. Gera was committted, skillful and always looking to score.

Hopefully this performance will provide some belief. There is no doubt this Albion team is capable of survival..........

Player ratings

Hoult 6 Looked a little shaky at times but not really at fault for goal.
Scimeca 6 Solid.
Gaardsoe 7 Quality distribution and often made timely interceptions.
Moore 7 Excellent in defence provided great pass to find Gera to set up Kanu's goal. Nearly scored.
Haas 6 Pretty solid.
Albrechtsen 7 Provided dangerous through-balls and solid in defence.
Greening 7 Excellent set piece kicking. Good skill and trickery down the flanks. Showed experience in the dying seconds to hold possession.
Kanu 8 Instills confidence in fellow players by demonstrating expert ball control. Sets up a lot. Team mates still dont play to his feet enough for my liking.
Dyer Not on long enough

Melbourne Baggie:

Up at 2 am this morning to watch the second WBA live game of the season. Well worth the wait, great game with a few nervous minutes at the end. The amazing Zoltan, well, amazed me, great addition to the team. Player ratings as below.

Hoult: Looks uneasy, not the dominant keeper he used to be. Should have levelled the pack in front of him that resulted in their goal. Either you go for it or you keep your line, a little bit of both never works.
Haas: Did ok, a lot better than last time I saw him. Still room for improvement.
Moore: Fantastic game, dominated the back. A superb ball from the back half to find Gera for the opening ball. Hopefully the old hoof forward disappears.
Gaardsoe: Good game as well, partnered Moore well. Confidant on the ball, should hopefully get better.
Albrechtsen:It looks like this guy will develop into a very good player for WBA. Great work on the left and showed he could go forward when required.
Scimeca: Did not really notice him often enough. If he was in fact playing a mid field role he appeared to drift into the wrong areas and not present.
Johnson: The true battler. Never stops running. Interesting to hear Ian Crook on Sky (who apparently played with AJ at Norwich), predict that AJ will now have to score goals to keep his spot. Obviously hasn't seen the Albion too often in the last 4 years!
Greening: Great game. Linked up well and always on the ready to go the distance. Looks like he is near top fitness.
Gera: SENSATIONAL. Has the mind set of a player who always tries to win. Hope some of this rubs off on the rest the squad, especially Meggo.
Kanu: Played well, a touch above most the players on the field. Hopefully now that he has experienced a win at the Hawthorns, it will inspire him to greater heights.
Horsfield: Rough and tumble CF, played ok, but could do with a few more yards of pace. Earnshaw must be breathing down his neck and getting closer to making CF his own.
Baggie Supporters: you guys looked great on the box, the noise at 2-0 was unbelievable, could feel the nervous anticipation for the final whistle near the end.

Go you Baggies!!!!!

Jules:

I am miffed, first game of the season i don't go to we win! Had to go to a wedding reception but i managed to watch it on sky. Very disorientating watching a live home game when i've got a season ticket. I vow never to do that again.

With everything going on (or not) at the club in recent weeks it feels wrong to make any criticisms of the first win. The club would seem to be back on track as now are the team.

On the telly 3 players stood out in Big Dave, winning every header, passing much improved and even having a shot cleared off the line. Kanu, whose trickery and confidence on the ball was second to none and was in right place at right time for 1st goal. And Zoltan of Smethwick, whose enthusiasm and vision is also second to none, always creating a route to goal or having a good shot himself, the look on his face is also a picture when he scores goals which reminds us what the game is all about. Its not about chairmen and boards and breaches of contract at the end of the day. Its about putting the ball in the back of the net and taking pride in doing so. The Zoltan is one of the few in the game that still do that.

4 home games this season unbeaten and 7 points on the board. Upcoming games against Norwich and Palace we should win and reduce that already gaping goal difference.

Well done Albion, sorry i missed it!

AJ-B:

Hallelujah!! at last a result we have been waiting 6 months for-and furthermore we thoroughly deserved this win over high flying Bolton. With all the media hype shrouding our club in a misted veil the pre-match thoughts from most fans I spoke with in our new temporary supporters club HQ, was that we would find it difficult to get any result, although one mentioned we have rarely had a poor result against the trotters.

In the ground & news of team selection, Gera in (at long last) Bernt Haas recallec with Scimeca in midfield - again at last! Darren Moore because of suspensions, and the dubious one - Horsefield instead of Earnshaw. The bench was suprising-again!- Koumas dropped from starting X1 & not even on bench, however we did have O'Connor AGAIN!!!

Sadly no Sakiri even though he is again playing for his country next week. From the offset Bolton attacked with some cultured football, Gardner their left back in particular was a delight to watch, Ochacha though, despite passing late fitness test was not at the races & was subsequantly replaced late in first half. Albion, fired at long last with an ambition to at least make a show of things, began to play their best football of the season, the main ingredient was Zoltan Gera who from the offset stamped his mark on the game with raid after raid and a prelithera of attempts on goal, he looked our most likeley player to score. Half time again as last week the score remained 0-0.

The second period continued with Albion creating the best moves again with Gera in the thick of things, virtually every thrust eminated from our little Magyar. Eventually our just rewards came as Gera again fired in a difficult to deal with low cross & Kanu, having by far his best game for Albion, ghosted behind the defence to side foot home, the crowd boinged their heads off. Expecting Bolton to come back at us, I was surprised at their apparent lack of urgency as Albion continued to be more assertive, then following some great work by Albrechsen (who gets better every game) to secure a corner from which the Greening cross was headed firmly into the net by guess who? Zoltan Gera of course, he leaped like a salmon to power his header home leaving the much taller defenders literally standing, a most fitting reward for his brilliant all round display.Again cue mass hysteria boinging, this was really Albion out there wasn't it? actually winning 2-0!

Bolton then began to shake themselves into action having brought Euro 2004 winner Stelios off the bench, as attack after attack penned the baggies back. Some worrying sights seeing big Dave trying to marshall his back line only for himself to fall into deeper cover instead of pushing our line forward. Then disaster strikes, when from a free kick just outside the far corner of our area, Stelios fired in a somewhat innocuous looking cross that deceived everybody & Russell Hoult was totally at fault as he failed to gather & watched the ball into his own net. Oh dear not again, not another surrender surely as the trotters tried for a face saving equaliser, thankfully it was not to be, even when the ref played over 4 extra minutes stoppage time, Albion held out to record the first win in 12 competative games and move us back up the table to 15th. position. We now have another break until Norwich come here in a fortnights time, a pity because it would have been great to carry on where we left off today as past experience reveals that after these breaks Albion always struggle to get back the pre-break momentum, however we expectantly look to another re-assuring 3 points from the Canaries. Here are my player reviews:

HOULT-Unconvincing again, is not now premier class, at fault with the goal & again failed to hold shot in first half parrying ball to feet of attacker who hit the post.His best days are now gone.
HAAS-His best performance since we beat Man U in Carling cup last year, defended superbly, very solid with quality.
ALBRECHSEN- Superb game, has made the left back position his own, improves with every game, good in tackle, lightening fast, excellant.
MOORE - His best showing since his serious injury over 18 months ago, great in the air, shackled Ferdinand, resumed his partnership with Tommy G with good understanding.
GAARDSOE - He really is our Colossus in defence, reads the game so well, always there to cover, missed nothing & set up several moves with great vision.
GERA - Absolute STAR MAN, the main ingredient as to why we performed so well, into everything why oh why has he been kept on bench for most of previous games?
JOHNSON - His best showing this season by a mile-but he was still the worst mdfielder, did little or nothing on the ball but did well in closing down, a squad member only at best.
SCIMECA - Competant showing in his best position-holding midfield role, he proved he IS NOT a right back, so he should continue to be played in todays role.
GREENING - Came alive more than in previous games, displayed skill & cunning & provided some great balls in.
KANU - Superb display-his best by far in Albion colours, chased more than I have ever seen him before, did not stop running all game & showed his unique exceptional control & skills, showed up Horsefield for his industry alone.
HORSEFIELD - Our worst performer, does not think or move quick enough, several moves aborted because of his inability to react or anticipate. OK he scored last week but he has done sod all else all season - except missing five of our best scoring chances in his first four games! cannot understand why he gets nod over Earnshaw-or even Dobie for that.
MEGSON - Seems to put out better performing sides when he is restricted for choice, cannot understand though why he plays Horsefield & AJ with monotenous regularity, maybe they are not 'sacred cows' but sure are his sacred donkey & chicken (headless). Also why no explanation as to why Sakiri has not even been given 5 minutes this season-yet still is captain of his country! Perhaps todays win has given a stay of execution, but as they say "one swallow does not make a summer".

SUBS:

DYER - Replaced Albrechsen in what at first seemed another of Megsons very odd trademark swaps, until it was realised Albrechsen was ill - maybe the shock of being given an extended run! Lloyd, apart from one burst, did little or nothing to add to proceedings.

UNUSED SUBS:

KUSZCZAK - Must be given a run, Hoult makes me nervous.
O'CONNOR - Why? cannot fathom why he continually gets a bench place when Sakiri is left in wilderness.
CONTRA - His being here is making Haas perform at last, saw him against Colchester, started well but got swamped into the cesspit with everyone else that night.
EARNSHAW - ?3million and has to sit and watch the donkey play!

Closet Baggie:

Thoughts from the Closet.

For what they are worth, I thought I would add my thoughts to the " should he stay or should he go " debate regarding Lord Meggo. Although he is basking in the glory of yesterdays victory, which gives Megson some breathing space. How many of those changes would Megson have made, if his hand hadn't been forced by injury and the F.A.? He says that Moore was always going to play. Above Gaardsoe or his new Captain Purse? I dont think so.

Today I think fortune smiled on us and the players that were out there truly played for the club and to keep us in the premiership. Megson, i feel, is always ready to walk away (with a golden handshake) shouting "you'll be sorry!!" His heart does not have WBA tatooed on it. This is one of the reasons that we failed so miserably in our last visit to the premiership and virtually signed no one on. He was hoping to jump ship (Everton) to what he considered a bigger club.

We now have a squad that should keep us in the premiership. But Megson cannot motivate or man manage it. He still hasn't learnt that you cannot rule by fear, a quality international player. You have to work with them, not blame them when things aren't going well. With him you seem to be in, or so far out that he will finish your career and grind you into the dust just for the hell of it ( too many players to mention, But i'm sure you know who they are). He also cannot shake of his basic tactic of "lets not get beat" and really wants to revert to 3-5-2 as quick as possible (Que Chelsea and Arsenal matches). Cavalier football played in the opponents half would cause apoplexy!!

And finally.......... if I was Jeremy Peace, I would "promote" Megson to Director of football, so he is out of the way and we dont have to pay him off. Then get rid of him in june 2005. Bring in Bobby Robson, to establish us in the premiership and groom an up and coming manager at the same time to take over when Bobby finally can't remember his name!

Have i forgotten the promotions that Megson says he achieved? No, but also remember the stale and negative football we had to endure along the way and the players whose careers he decide to finish or offload because they had the audacity to have a diiferent opinion to him.

Remember................ A Leopard, never changes its Spots!!

thecads:

Yeah, yeah and thrice yeah. The best albion performance in terms of skill and passing i've seen for 20 years?

If we can play like that all season we'll be fine.

hoult - 6 - at fault for goal - didn't get to it - i think he bottled it - otherwise i'm glad he's back.
haas - 7 thought he did well dropped a gaff when tackled in possession near their box, but he made sure he got back to put tackle in down their left.
dave - 8 - normally passing lets him down, but he set up pass for gera to cross for kanu. silly faouls at times
tommy - 8 - solid
albrectson - 7 thought he did well - improvement on robbo - if he was ill and still played -well done to him
aj - 7 - what u'd expect
schimeca - 7 thought he did v well - lost the ball a few times, but passed well and tackled well
greening - 8 looked classy - when was the last time we had a winger who hit the byline and crossed quality balls in?
gera - 9 fab, facially he reminds me of a young bryan robson, as for skill and ability, potentially better?
kanu - 8 best game in albion shirt - up for it and skill was sublime
horse - 6 - missed 2 best chances - only presume he stayed on for aerial height v their corners....
our crowd - 8 - thought we were up for it from the start. i can't believe how few they brought....

observations-

when team announced doom and gloom prevailed, but albion looked a class above a bolton team who were in top six. were they delayed on motorway? saw their team bus at 4.00 on m5 island - a factor? don't care

tommy and dave argued none stop the first 30 mins - why? dave didn't have tell houlty off for goal. i thought dave was awesome.

why hasn't megson played gera from the start in other games, especially v fulham???? kid looks a match winner

personally i'd have had earnshaw on in the last 20- to have pace to attack them pushing up pitch. i wish koumas could sort himself out, our bench looked really sorry today. where was sakiri? what has the guy done not to be on the bench. would u rather have sakiri coming on or o'connor?

anyway, these little grumbles aside, well done gary, i'm really pleased for the guy, let's hope the media put pressure on someone else now and leave us alone for a bit. must now beat norwich and palace. if we do, i think gary is safe. very chuffed this morning...

Pete Cottrell:

At last a win. Huge sighs of relief all round, but not just for the precious 3 points but the manner of the victory: Gera, Kanu, Greening and Albrechtsen all had their best games in a Baggies shirt; while Moore and Haas had their best for a long time. We passed the ball out of defence instead of hoofing it and had as many shots at goal as practically any match in the last couple of years.

The Manager says that he was always going to play Moore; presumably he would not have dropped Purse or Gaardsoe, which probably would have meant playing 5-3-2 and we would not have seen such an attractive game. Thank God we didn't flog Big Dave to Coventry, because he had an absolute blinder ! First response to the team selection, however, was one of comparative gloom: why Haas? why Horse? why O'Connor? why Dyer? However, when they lined up with Haas at full back and Scimeca in mid-field, my fist remark was "He's seen the light: he's not playing them out of position !" And given that Albrechtsen was unwell, I can just about understand Dyer's inclusion as sub. But O'Connor instead of Sakiri? And what has Earnie done wrong? (or Horsefield right, for that matter?)

High spots were manifold; but most of all I can see a midfield shaping up to be one which can compete with any in the Premiership (OK, 17 of them maybe). Greening was magnificent; he harries better than AJ; runs with the ball as well as Koumas, and takes a damn sight better corner. Scimeca found space to do the simple things - like giving the central defenders someone to pass to instead of having to belt the ball blindly upfield. AJ is a bit out of his depth at this level, but I just wait for Inamoto to take his place. And as for Zoltan Gera...we knew that he could play from his brief contributions in other games, but today he was outstanding and he must give Jason Koumas cause to worry; but the idea of having Koumas and Sakiri available on the bench or in case of injury just makes the side seem even stronger.

Hopefully, this will give them confidence to go on and get good results against Norwich and Palace, then the team should settle down and we might give some of the top clubs something to think about.

Player ratings:

Hoult 5: Oh dear. definitely at fault for goal and looking generally under par this season.
Haas 7: Much improved, but the first time we have seen him in his best position in a 4-4-2 line up for ages.
Moore 8: Brilliant defending, powerful heading, and he even passed the ball !
Gaardsoe 7: Typical game, nothing flashy but held the defence together admirably.
Albrechtsen 7; Looks made to be left back and should hold his place over Robbo.
Greening 8: Excellent display. Worth watching if only for his blood-curdling tackles, never mind his attacking.
Scimeca 7: Good steady performance which contributed to our bossing the midfield. Should stay in this position.
Johnson 6: Didn't do a lot wrong, but a bit out of his depth.
Gera 9: MOM Absolutely magnificent. our best playmaker AND striker !
Kanu 8: Some wonderful touches. I just wish that he was a bit more predatory instead of always seeking to pass the ball.
Horsefield 5: Horse - you are the weakest link etc. (And why does he always have to foul his marker?)
Dyer 6: Didn't really have time to contribute.

Altogether an excellent display and one which gives me far more confidence than I had this time yesterday.