Relive every moment of every first team game since the beginning of the 2005/06 season. Our archive of matchday threads originally posted in the General Discussion Forum.
Just up the road from the ground. Be super careful where you park if you want a quick getaway though.
We were right in the middle of it for the cup game, walked out about 30 minutes before the end. Got back to the car and it was penned in so tightly the driver had to get in on the passenger side and we then had to sit there for another half hour until everyone came back and started to filter out
I think the formation will be the same as long as everyone is fit and recovered.
Bilic has said recently that he wants players to be fit and earn the shirt which I think they did on Monday. Also, although Kouyate was not his normal self he worked hard and needs more football to get back to his best.
Take a 2-2.
Aim for a point away and a win at home.
But with the bench that we could have the last 30 mins could be very good.
WBA have won two league games this year. They did it with 28% and 32% possession. The more they have the ball, the worse they are.
Their expertise is crosses from free kicks and corners into a bunch of big lump players.
The game plan has to be to nullify their threat and make they don't score first and give their 4 centre halves and three defensive midfielders something to hold onto. No silly free kicks in wide areas in our final third is a must.
That's why I think it's important to go with the same team and formation so to allow the opposition more possession and be as tight at the back playing with the 3/5. Then counter like f*** when we can. Not saying we'll keep another clean sheet but should be alright.
Colours never run wrote:That's why I think it's important to go with the same team and formation so to allow the opposition more possession and be as tight at the back playing with the 3/5. Then counter like **** when we can. Not saying we'll keep another clean sheet but should be alright.
We can't counter attack quickly with Carroll in the team.
Hernandes and Sakho up front for me.
Can't see why not. Youre forgetting Carroll will be deep in our own box if we're defending set pieces that they specialise in, so that leaves the spaces for the likes of Hernandez, Antonio to race away once we get hold of the ball. But not just that, even if we ain't defending a set piece, Carroll will be around the centre circle used as an out ball that can be pinged into him then he will hold it up to find runners either side of him to race on too.
I want to see at one point in the game: Arnie, Hernandez, Carrol and Antonio (not at rwb) all on the pitch attacking. That is one of the most physical forward lines in the world.
If we play the same way as we did on monday with the constant long balls, WBA will eat that up all day long. Carroll should not be in the team for this one, keep him for a 2nd half sub if we need a goal.
EastleighHammer16 wrote:If we play the same way as we did on monday with the constant long balls, WBA will eat that up all day long. Carroll should not be in the team for this one, keep him for a 2nd half sub if we need a goal.
We didn't play like that all game, the first goal came from playing it on the deck, as did Hernanez effort that hit the bar. To name just 2 clear examples. What we did was mix it up well and like you say, we can't nust go long as they will comfortably deal with it. Same again as Monday please.
Sometikesntheres too much of a temptation to keep switching things around be it personnel or tactics. Go with what currently worked then change it in 2nd half if going pear shaped but I doubt that'll happen the way we played.
West Brom are not a great team but they can be a very effective one if they are allowed to play the game the way they want to. Slaven should be looking at a point, by hook or by crook. This mob finished 8th last year, so they are not mugs.
Treat them with respect and make them really work for it - they are, after all, at home.
A point is a decent outcome and a lack of respect for our opposition has already hurt us away from home in the last two league games on the road.
bubbles1966 wrote:West Brom are not a great team but they can be a very effective one if they are allowed to play the game the way they want to. Slaven should be looking at a point, by hook or by crook. This mob finished 8th last year, so they are not mugs.
Treat them with respect and make them really work for it - they are, after all, at home.
A point is a decent outcome and a lack of respect for our opposition has already hurt us away from home in the last two league games on the road.
They finished 10th, with the same points as us..... & we were sh*t last year
Big George wrote:Going up with a 6 year old so driving. Any parking tips?
Always try to get the car between the two white lines , don't forget to buy a ticket , try not to lose your temper because the car behind you nipped into a space quicker than you did , failing that , buy ' The Reginald Molehusband Bumper Book Of Parking ' or get the 6 year old to park it for you .
Or , tell the 6 year old that you lost his ticket and take me with you , I'm great at parking .
I don't get this idea that we can't counter attack with Andy Carroll in the team. As long as the service is right he's perfect for it. Quick ball in to him isolated with a centre back on the halfway line for him to flick on/lay off and we're away.....as long as we've got runners getting beyond him.
Keep it tight with Zab on the right of the 4 for the first hour or so and then move Antonio back there later on and get one of Sakho/Ayew/Arnautovic on to try to hit them on the break. Cresswell/Antonio/Sakho/Hernandez looking to pick up the 2nd ball or get past Carroll would be a nightmare to defend against as long as that first ball is reliable.
We played a **** ton of long balls against Huddersfield, whether people want to believe it or not and if we do the same against WBA it will be the dullest football game in history.
TheHandOfDog wrote:We played a **** ton of long balls against Huddersfield, whether people want to believe it or not and if we do the same against WBA it will be the dullest football game in history.
But we probably won't lose. Better than being open, not entertaining and losing as that seems to be the two options at the moment!