West Bromwich Albion 3 - Preston North End 1

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Ratings submitted so far: 17

Ancient Baggie:

A great way to start the new year, three points and for the most part a really solid performance. First half was really impressive, we got the ball forward quickly put Preston under a lot of pressure and took our chances well when they came. I thought we also did well without the ball with Diakité and Molumby particularly impressive. Half time 3 nil up and coasting what's not to like.

We started a little slowly in the second half but I felt we were controlling the game well enough and Preston didn't seem to be causing us any real trouble but the introduction of Wallace definitely affected our game going forward. Unfortunately he then had a nightmare for their goal which just summed up his game at the moment. It's difficult to watch how much he has gone backwards lately. More changes meant the game became a lot more scrappy but we did enough to see it out.

Positives for me Diakite, Styles, Johnston and Maja getting goals at home. Just need to sort a Manager clear up a few injuries and do some good business in January and we could still be in with a shout.

Happy New Year COYB

Brendan Clegg:

I was really happy with the lineup going into what I thought would a tough game for us.

I thought we were a little sloppy and slow to start with, seemingly like a few of them needed to run the stiffness out of their legs, but once we got going we were rampant. Aggressive, quicker to move it forward and not afraid to take risks in the final 3rd. It’s an obvious thing to say but it was much like the Corberan style but with a little bit more freedom. Our reward was loads of good situations, 3 really lovely goals and although maybe 3-0 flattered us a bit we were thoroughly entertaining.

The 2nd half was about conserving energy, protecting players and seeing the game out and, other than the cheap goal from a Wallace error - although he’d tracked back and done the hard bit - I thought we managed that quite well. The subs all weakened us but they were the right thing to do with a game in 3 days, especially if it means the same starting 11 can go again. More credit to the interim coaching team!

• Palmer - 6 a couple of bad kicks but decent overall
• Furlong- 7 solid game and brilliant assist
• Bartley- 7 Another strong showing
• Heggem- 6 A couple of errors but otherwise strong. Looked a bit leggy.
• Styles - 7 Cracking game, great goal, lovely feet and loads of energy
• Fellows - 6 Looked knackered but kept them occupied
• Molumby - 7 Everywhere again and drive us on
• Diakite - 7 another useful showing, looked a bit more confident, be difficult to drop him now
• MJ - 7 Lively and sent the entire ground and Preston back 4 when he cut back onto his left for the assist
• Maja - 7 Two great goals from us putting it in the box and they couldn’t live with him all game
• Grant - 6 Loads of running and effort

• Wallace - 6 an error but otherwise ran hard
• Cole/Grady/Racic - 5 none of them showed enough
• Frabotta - 5 Little time but looked bang average!