1 hour ago
Having done unto Derby last Friday what everyone else has spent the season doing unto us, Albion's last-gasp goal secured a point and (more importantly) an end to the relentless procession of humiliation on the road. But whether that achievement was a mere lucky blip or the first step in turning the corner, we're liable to find out with tomorrow's trip to the south coast to face Portsmouth.
Sadly it's unlikely to be the cakewalk our last visit proved, with Pompey having lost only one in eight, including four games unbeaten at Fratton Park and no more than one goal conceded in each of their last eight at home. That's in spite of at least seven injuries hampering their squad, with question marks over a further two players for Saturday; Albion meanwhile have now lost Karlan Grant to the treatment table, presumably placing great weight on young Iling-Junior to step up.
I don't expect a goal avalanche here, and if one occurs then it's likely to be at our expense. As at Pride Park, keeping it tight and staying in the game increases our chances of coming away with something positive; we may not be in the territory of must-win games just yet, but this certainly qualifies as Must Not Lose, and a lot is riding on Eric Ramsay's ability to deliver that objective.
Sadly it's unlikely to be the cakewalk our last visit proved, with Pompey having lost only one in eight, including four games unbeaten at Fratton Park and no more than one goal conceded in each of their last eight at home. That's in spite of at least seven injuries hampering their squad, with question marks over a further two players for Saturday; Albion meanwhile have now lost Karlan Grant to the treatment table, presumably placing great weight on young Iling-Junior to step up.
I don't expect a goal avalanche here, and if one occurs then it's likely to be at our expense. As at Pride Park, keeping it tight and staying in the game increases our chances of coming away with something positive; we may not be in the territory of must-win games just yet, but this certainly qualifies as Must Not Lose, and a lot is riding on Eric Ramsay's ability to deliver that objective.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley