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+----- Thread: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread (/showthread.php?tid=908)
WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - Ska'dForLife-WBA - 30-11-2014
So we bid farewell to another November having the same number of points as we started the month with. This, in itself, is not unusual. We've lost three Premier League matches in a row, which is also far from uncommon, especially when playing tough opposition.
But beyond those three defeats lies a dangerous threshold. There are actually very few times in Albion's Premier League history when the team has lost four matches or more on the bounce. In fact, you could count them on one hand (provided you come from Wolverhampton): it happened to Gary Megson in spring 2003 (7 defeats in a row); it happened to Bryan Robson during his first winter in charge (5 defeats in a row); it happened twice to Tony Mowbray, first in November 2008 and then in February 2009; it happened to Roberto Di Matteo around Christmas 2010 (5 defeats in a row) and of course, to Steve Clarke this time last year.
The distinction between a stretch of bad form and a bona fide losing streak looms large in front of us. It's there in the form of beatable opposition on Tuesday night. At this stage, all discussion of Alan Irvine's tactics and team selections is secondary to the simple need for a result this week, however it comes. If that result doesn't come, I feel it'll be the beginning of the end, one way or another.
![[Image: invisible_man.jpg]](http://s3.postimg.org/h58yvh283/invisible_man.jpg)
Leaked pictures from inside the Hawthorns provide a key insight into the fitness of Silvestre Varela.
West Ham have had a great season so far, catalysed by shrewd summer recruitment (once again Albion, a brilliant idea to let Amalfitano go) and with a little more tactical sophistication from Sam Allardyce which perhaps provides hope that even the most stubborn of coaches can defy the critics in time. But in spite of their lofty position, the Baggies have to dig deep on Tuesday and find at least one goal and three points from somewhere. It'd be nice if we could do that playing a 2-3-5 with the defence and midfield pushing forward as required, pressing the opposition in their own six-yard box and trying to reach double figures by half-time, but unfortunately, it may well end up being another dull performance where a 1-0 win is the sole object.
That's not what most of us want to see, and truth be told, Irvine has squandered a lot of sympathy by playing ugly and losing in matches where playing with a little positivity and losing would at least have softened the blow. Perhaps his hands really are tied with regards to the quality and fitness of our new recruits, but right now, I think he'd have nothing to lose by just throwing the likes of Blanco, Varela, Samaras and Ideye in at the deep end. If they really are shite, then at least fans will see for themselves and know exactly what he's working with (and what any new manager would have to work with, too). If they play well and win, then hallelujah; we've got a decent team, and Irvine would have no excuses not to keep picking them.
It's going to be a big week. If we're not on seventeen points by the end of it, I'm afraid history is very likely to repeat itself one way or another.
Classic Match
West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United
FA Premier League: 13th September 2008
Does playing positively and losing really soften the blow? Maybe once or twice, but when it's happening week in week out, that consolation wears very thin. Still, there were a few times in his solitary Premier League campaign that Tony Mowbray got it right, and this end-to-end battle was one of them.
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - betterthanbaird - 30-11-2014
Great thread, this is a big game and we need to get something.
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - drewks - 30-11-2014
Strange how Big Sam has come good this year.
Maybe he could mentor our own Head Coach on how to change?
Big week. Can see us losing this I'm afraid
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - Zinman - 30-11-2014
Huge game given the reaction of just about everyone except Irvine after Saturday, however............same team, same tactics and very probably same result - I just can't see him changing anything. As a bit of light relief should we try predicting when our first shot on target will be? I'm thinking an improvement on Saturday so........55.
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - wba_1996 - 30-11-2014
Foster
Wisdom - Dawson - Lescott - Baird
Gardner - Morrison
Dorrans - Sessegnon - Brunt
Berahino
Wisdom - Dawson - Lescott - Baird
Gardner - Morrison
Dorrans - Sessegnon - Brunt
Berahino
WBA 0-2 West Ham
Alan Irvine has the Villa game to save himself
I'd say the old cliche "I hope I'm wrong" but: 1. I can't see it, 2. It would mean we are one step closer to a new head coach
However, I'm more than happy to admit I was wrong if the unthinkable does happen and he actually changes the team.
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - WBA-Josh - 30-11-2014
Foster
Gamboa-Dawson-Lescott-Davidson
Morrison-Gardner
Brunt-Sessegnon-Varela
Ideye
Myhill
McAuley
Wisdom
Dorrans
Samaras
Blanco
Berahino
What I expect to happen is no changes made other than a replacement in for Pocognoli, probably Baird, because Irvine probably thinks that there is nothing wrong with the team at the moment. I bet in his mind everything is fine because in-form Newcastle only put 2 past us, one of the best teams in Europe only put 2 past us and Arsenal only put 1 past us plus we are outside of the relegation zone.
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - albionmadandy92 - 01-12-2014
Massive game, please albion, show us what you can do...
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - Dingle-Dingle - 01-12-2014
Foster
Defend Defend Defend Defend
Defend Defend Defend.
Defend Defend,
Myhill.
Subs.
DEfend
DEFend
DEFEnd
DEFENd
DEFEND.
OH SHIT.
DD
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - Luke_East_Baggie - 01-12-2014
Been away from a computer / phone for most the weekend, did watch all our game though.
I can't see us beating anyone at the moment. We just don't ever have enough bodies going forward / in a forward position. When we are anywhere near a dangerous attack we go sidewards or backwards because were frightened to death of losing our position or losing our man.
Mulumbu is well off the pace this year - poorest I've seen him. Seems his tempo and confidence is gone. Wisdom isn't too bad - remember Billy Jones being a lot worse vs Fulham etc early days. Samaras is OKAY, doesn't lose the ball and gets his head up - wether that's a pass or moving forward. Lacks half a yard though.
Amalfitano is gonna probably score, I can't see us gettong a goal if we play the same personel and/or the formation we have been persisting with. I wouldn't bother with Big Vic at the moment either. I will be infuriated if I don't see at least one of Varela / Blanco / Ideye / Gamboa get at least a half a game or more.
RE: WBA vs West Ham - Match Thread - Zinman - 01-12-2014
Irvine's thinking process when deciding on tomorrow's team:
Right Back
Wisdom -big lad, might be useful in the air with the massive threat West Ham will give us.
Gamboa - quick, good going forward but what good is that? - Decision: Wisdom
Right Midfield:
Dorrans - solid, supports the defence well, Scottish.
Blanco - creative, good going forward but what good is that? Not Scottish. - Decision: Dorrans
Left midfield
Samaras - holds the ball well, can cross into the empty penalty box, might not be able to defend.
Brunt - can't tackle, can't defend, offers nothing going forward but does have those incriminating photos of me with the stuffed giraffe and wet lettuce.
Varelo - who? Decision: Brunt
Forward
Who cares as they're not going to be involved anyway and none of them are any good defending.