Before a ball had even been kicked it felt like we had won already with the news that man-mountain and vice captain Jonas Olsson had agreed a new four year contract with the Baggies. This just goes to show how far Albion have come in the last few years and praise must go to the departing Dan Ashworth, the influence of Steve Clarke and the main man at the helm Mr Jeremy Peace – who doesn’t always get the credit he deserves.
In the past we have been a selling club which means constant rebuilding every time things start to look good. Not anymore, we can now attract established internationals with the likes of Foster, Yacob, Popov and Rosenberg to name a few buying in to our strategy and future.
The atmosphere was electric and expectation was high after another fine performance over local rivals and sleeping European giants Aston Vile the previous Sunday. Gabriel Tamas came in for the injured Jones and Goran Popov was making his home debut, while Peter Odemwingie was recalled to the starting line up, after serving his three match suspension.
First half
The game started at a frantic pace with Albion controlling possession with their short sharp passes and QPR were finding it hard to come to terms with Morrison’s movement, the tackling of Mulumbu and Yacob, plus the speed of Long up front. The latter was a constant threat exposing Rangers’ weakness at the back. It was no surprise when, in the 5th minute, the Irishman found space down the right and delivered an inch perfect cross in to the box for the incoming Morrison to head Albion’s first goal. 1-0.
QPR’s first attack was conjured up Taarabt who jinxed his way through two tackles before being brought down by Tamas just outside the box. The resulting free kick was deflected for a corner, which was consequently cleared up field by Odemwingie for Morrison to run onto. This time rolls were reversed and Mozza crossed to the back post for Long to hit on the half volley, but unfortunately the centre forward skied his effort.
Hawthorns favourite Gera had a shot deflected but it was easily saved by Cesar. It was no surprise when Albion’s superiority was rewarded with their second goal of the game after 22 minutes. The impressive Morrison whipped in a low cross from the right and Anton Ferdinand got his footwork all wrong and could only divert the ball into Gera’s path. Zolt’s didn’t need asking twice and duly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner of the net. 2-0.
Things were going from bad to worse for the Hoops as Taarabt was penalised for handling the ball before it had crossed the touchline. Then Mbia decided to start taking his frustration out with some ‘strong’ challenges which Mulumbu seemed to be on the receiving end of.
Tamas was booked for a niggling foul on Taarabt just on the halfway line. On 35 minutes, Granero picked the ball up just inside the Albion half and played a delightful ball over the defence which Taarabt brilliantly controlled with his chest just inside the area and unleashed an unstoppable volley past Foster. 2-1.
Albion continued to push forward and Mulumbu shot wide after another good build up and cut back from the inventive Long. Morrison then played Gera through on the left but his side footed effort was well saved by Cesar in the Rangers goal.
Park was lucky to stay on the pitch after a knee high challenge on Gera just before the half time whistle.
After the break
Albion kicked off the second half with Jara replacing Tamas – who was having a torrid time against Taarabt. Unfortunately Jara’s first contribution was to give the ball straight to QPR’s best player but, after striding forward into the box, Taarabt’s effort was easily saved by Foster.
This set the tone for the second half as Rangers came out fired up and the Baggies seemed to think the game was already won! Taarabt was playing a more central role and was causing Albion all kinds of problems. But even when we had possession we seemed far too casual with our distribution and passing.
With QPR controlling the tempo and pace of the game, Clarke decided to make a double substitution bringing Lukaku and Rosenberg on for the impressive Long and fading Odemwingie. Nothing really changed though as Rangers carried on playing a high line at the back, condensing play and closing Albion down quickly.
We started relying on the long ball up to Lukaku, but even if he did win the header there was no one there to support him. On 85 minutes some integrate passing down the right saw Jara play a neat one-two then pull the ball back for Mulumbu who calmly side footed into the net. 3-1. This was totally against the run of play so Rangers restarted even more determined to salvage something from the game.
Albion continued to back off and allowed the Hoops to press forward. It was no surprise when Granero made it 3-2 in injury time with an exquisite curling side foot shot into the top corner of Foster’s net.
There was even enough time for Rangers to force another corner which eventually fell to Bosingwa on the edge of the six yard box but fortunately the defender skied his effort high over the bar.
On reflection
Talk about a game of two halves, well this was certainly one of those. Albion bossed the first half with some neat passing, intelligent running off the ball, controlling the midfield and creating numerous chances which, on another day, may have been taken.
The second half we were sloppy, lethargic and far too casual. If the opposition were of a better standard they could quite easily have come away with all three points. But saying that, if we can play below the high standards Steve has set and still get maximum points then it’s not all bad – it’s when we dominate games and play well but come away with nothing that we need to start worrying.
Albion scored three well worked team goals where as QPR relied on two pieces of brilliance from their best two players.
I was a bit mystified why Shane Long was substituted as he always gives 100% and never allows defenders time on the ball, but at least the gaffer gives subs plenty of time to make an impression on a game which is good.
Roy Hodgson laid strong foundations and Steve has continued to build on them adding his own ideas and beliefs, which the players seem to be buying in to.
Exciting times ahead, let’s get behind the boys and bring on the champions. COYB!
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