We knew coming into the game we would go fourth with a win. Amazing to think when you consider we have lost the last three games rather poorly and that we could rise into a Champions League spot if we played to our potential. West Ham however, could climb to seventh with a victory of their own.
Arsenal, Stoke and Swansea were all frustrating defeats, partly because the opposition played well and stopped us playing, but mainly because we were doing very little with the ball when all season we had played well going forward and showed a clinical side to our game.
Teams came in and Foster and Yacob were the notable absentees from the XI with Popov also playing for Ridgewell and Jones in for Reid; the formation was rather unknown. A midfield of Gera, Brunt, Morrison and Mulumbu was possible in a 4-4-2 or Odemwingie could go out wide and create the favoured 4-2-3-1 with Long up top as usual.
First half
No real clear cut chances came in the first half. Odemwingie looked bright for the home side taking Demel on and whipping in crosses but Collins and Reid cleared them when they could. West Ham did look to hit on the break and Carlton Cole out-paced Gareth McAuley to get on the end of a lofted pass. The striker then crossed the ball for Taylor who couldn’t direct his header on target, Myhill had it covered anyway.
Brunt then took a free kick straight into the wall as we tried to get a foot hold in the game. Odemwingie had a long-range effort saved easily by Jaaskelainen. Down the other end the only thing Myhill had to deal with were crosses, getting down low well to stop Matt Taylor’s drilled attempts.
Shane Long then tried to break the deadlock sending a shot just wide of the post. On target I think it would have found the net, it seemed Jaaskelainen lost his footing but sadly even Shane Long wasn’t to know that.
Winston Reid nearly scored when a floated corner found ex-Villa man James Collins at the back posted. He headed the ball back across the box to Reid who poked a toe at it only to find the stand rather than the goal.
Carlton Cole then attempted a long shot that Myhill just got something behind. That something was his gloves and he parried it right to Mulumbu. He did what he had to do, get something behind it, but the only worry I had was where he parried it to! He shouldn’t be pushing it straight into the danger zone, oh well, we survived.
Second half
After CBB had nearly poisoned BaggieBoyGeoff at half time with some oddly made soup we started the half with a series of corners – four to be exact. Each looked more dangerous as they were sent in but sadly we couldn’t find the net with any. But the intent and attack was there and it was impressive, a better start to the half was needed and we got it.
Odemwingie had been put out on the left flank in the second half and he looked bright. In typical Odemwingie style he wanted to take everything on and he kept winning, Demel was turned inside and outside as Matt Jarvis, who once lost 1-5 to the Albion – not that we mention it – wasn’t providing much cover for his full back.
Gera had a shot saved by the experienced Finnish ‘keeper and Long’s rebound couldn’t quite find the net. In fairness to the Irishman, he did well to get to it, never mind force a comfortable save out of the West Ham stopper.
Albion then hit the bar when a West Ham defender flicked the ball onto the top of his woodwork from an Albion corner. Another series of corners followed with the Hammers looking uncomfortable dealing with Brunt’s crosses.
We then found the woodwork again when Morrison powered a header from another corner onto the frame of the goal and Carlton Cole took the sting out of the game needing treatment meaning Billy Jones, who had a decent game, couldn’t take a quick throw in.
Talking of throw ins, Demel in the second half took three foul throws in a row, clear foul throws all after one another and nothing given, even Steve Clarke was angered at it! Annoyingly one of those nearly had an end result in a goal with O’Neil curling one wide of Myhill’s post.
Lukaku then came on – it’s worth noting he was the last Baggies player to find the net at Swansea only 5 hours and 20 minutes ago!
Annoyingly, Mulumbu will miss the Norwich game next week after Kevin Nolan, who hadn’t actually shut up all game, went face to face with our Congo star earning the African his fifth booking of the season. Not sure why Mulumbu got a yellow to be honest, seemed like all the fury was coming from Nolan but refs these days seem to feel they have to book both players in situations like that. If any are reading this. You don’t.
Nothing of note followed and a draw was the end result leaving us sixth in the league.
On reflection
I know West Ham are injury-hit but they still fielded a strong XI and I think it is important to say they came here for a draw. They set up for a point and their defensive discipline won it them. But think back to us under Mowbray just five seasons ago. How many Premier League sides would be happy with a point at The Hawthorns? Not many! It shows over the past couple of seasons we have earned the respect of clubs and credit to those involved.
It is slightly worrying that we have gone over five hours without finding the net, but I’m sure that rot will be ended soon. The important thing today was to stop a fourth straight loss, which we did. How many times have we entered the last 10 minutes at 0-0 and lost? It was refreshing to see us control the game throughout and not panic.
Those questioning Rosenburg he had seven minutes on the pitch. What exactly do you want? Seriously? This striker has gained respect in the Bundesliga – a very good league – and at Ajax. Do you think questioning him and jeering him will improve his game? Players need time not only to adapt but on the pitch. Give it him. He was not fit when he joined us and has played catch up. Now he is fit he is trying to find a way into the side. It’s not easy, let’s give the guy time.
Personally, I think Brunt had another poor game. His corner taking was decent but in play he was poor. Lukaku did little apart from react two seconds slower than he should and taking defenders to the ball rather than away from it. I know fans love to have a boo-boy but you do realise if he makes it, like he has elsewhere, you look extremely fickle! This time last year Morrison was a hate figure. Look what Roy did with him at the turn of the year. He is now considered a key player for us, you have to allow players time to adapt and improve. Thierry Henry took time to come good, let’s not judge a player until he has continually played for us.
Anyway, on to Norwich. It will be hard without Mulumbu, and possibly Yacob, after he picked up a stupid yellow card, but at least it is out of the way now. Norwich are playing some good stuff although I believe they have lost Holt, which may help us a little.
We are showing signs of improvement, so I am sure another three points is around the corner for us – whether that’ll be next week, Boxing day or at Old Trafford! Keep the faith!
Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes, very kind of you all and special thanks to CBB for everything over the past year home and away, great company and always made sure I was fed and watered! Thanks.
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