With the added pressure from RDM before kick-off insisting the game against lowly Wednesday was a ‘must win’ fixture you could feel the tension around the ground as soon as you saw the floodlights. I’m sure the pressure didn’t help but neither did his team selection in the first half.
The Line-up
Luke Moore again earned a recall in place of the unfit Simon Cox with Graham Dorrans replacing Ben Watson. Following the disappointing defeat to QPR on Saturday, RDM again stuck to a 4-5-1 formation which has produced results since the turn of the year. James Morrison was given the task this time of supporting Moore at every opportunity. Steven Reid made his full home debut with Giles Barnes and Ishmael Miller both on the bench.
First Half
Wednesday obviously came to stifle Albion with once target Alan Irvine getting his tactics spot-on. Ex-Dingle Leon Clarke dropped deep in front of Youssouf Mulumbu every time our defenders got the ball giving them little option but to ‘lump’ it forward. As a result it was 20 minutes before Albion registered an effort on goal courtesy of an acrobatic effort from Chris Brunt.
A long ball from Tamas sprung Moore into life as the striker – did you know it’s illegal to call him that in 17 countries and 5 American states? – held off Darren Purse but failed to lift the ball goalwards as Grant rushed out in the Wednesday goal.
Albion were poor and void of any creativity or inspiration. The next chance came in the 33rd minute when Cech’s mazy run teed up Dorrans on the edge of the area. The Hawthorns held its breath but the Scottish international dragged his shot wide.
The best chance of the half fell to Wednesday and the dangerous Jermaine Johnson. With Wednesday looking to counter attack at every occasion, Johnson’s pace and direct running was a real threat. Following the quick clearance of a corner Johnson was left one-on-one with Marek Cech at the back. The defender’s weak back-pass fell well short with Johnson eyeball-to-eyeball with Carson. Instead of trying to curl the ball around the ‘keeper he chipped his effort a yard over the bar much to my relief. Had Wednesday taken the lead there would’ve been no way back.
Moore then summed up the first 45-minutes dragging a volley wide from a central 18-yard position. Neither side had managed a shot on target in the first half. Not good Albion.
The Second Half
Before the whistle had even blown for the break RDM was giving instructions to Koren. After the midfielder’s ten yard dashes between two balls at the break his introduction seemed to give us an immediate lift. I’m not sure if it was Koren’s presence or that Brunt had switched to his natural left side berth but Albion looked more threatening. Dorrans and Morrison came short looking for the ball instead of trying to find space between the opposition’s midfield and defence. Albion were more patient at the back with Reid, Tamas and Olsson all looking for feet instead of balls over the top.
On 58 minutes RDM had had enough of Moore making half-hearted runs with Ishmael Miller entering the fray. The striker had an immediate impact doing more in 75 seconds than Moore did all night. Miller collected a Tamas pass on his chest and turned. The burly striker brushed James O’Conner to the turf before advancing and shooting two yards wide. That was more like it! See what I did there?!
The effort brought the lethargic Hawthorns crowd back to life. The momentum was with the Baggies and for the first time of the night and we looked like scoring.
Minutes later Grant made an excellent save from Jonas Olsson’s point-blank header with Miller firing the ball over from 15-yards from the rebound.
Albion were swarming forward with Dorrans, Morrison and Koren all cleverly finding space. More importantly we had natural width on the left thanks to Brunt. Following one of a number excellent long balls from Tamas, Brunt whipped over a trademark cross onto the forehead of Miller – who must’ve been ten feet in the air. He headed the ball down and into the corner with Grant making his second excellent save of the night. From the resulting corner Morrison headed straight at the ‘keeper who tipped the ball over the crossbar.
A goal was coming and it was certainly worth waiting for. Koren received the ball out wide and cut inside beating two Wednesday men. Now on his left foot 25-yards from goal the midfielder curled home an unstoppable shot Grant had no chance with. YES!!!!!!!!
Wednesday rallied in the three minutes of injury time but never troubled Carson. The Baggies were back into second.
On Reflection
This was far from a vintage performance but at this stage of the season points win prizes. Albion were poor first half but this resulted largely in long balls aimed towards an unwilling Moore. How many more chances is this impersonator going to get?
The changes after the break did the trick. Those who question RDM’s tactical awareness must surely give credit where credit is due. His decision to move Brunt out left with Koren replacing Thomas changed the game. Miller looked threatening, Koren seemed his old self and Barnes looked very pacy during his brief cameo. Life is good again.
Bring on the Seasiders and three points on Saturday. See you in the Sportsman.