[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Singing in the rain: Albion fans at the Vetch Field for the playoffs, 16th May 1993.

There were definite positives to be taken from Alan Pardew's first game in charge of Albion, but sadly, none of those positives involved us hitting the back of the net or taking the three points up for grabs. We remain, by some minor miracle, three points clear of the relegation zone and way ahead of the chasing pack on goal difference, but with a tough Christmas schedule ahead, that situation can't be expected to last forever.

Having been held to a stalemate in the first two of our crucial six-pointers, we have one more chance to notch up the long-awaited win on Saturday.

Unfortunately, the Liberty Stadium is seldom a happy hunting ground for the Baggies, and we've got to rise above our recent history to take what we need in this one. For the first time we'll have a chance to see how Pardew goes about away fixtures, and hopefully this'll give the travelling fans something to cheer after some pretty thankless times on the road over the last few years. Needless to say, this is yet another must-not-lose match, but without wanting to put any undue pressure on Pards and the players at this early stage, we are very much getting towards the territory of it being must-win.

[talkSAFT]

Be interesting to see what the Away following will be, what with:-

the weather;
this Christmas business;
those who've given up their Away S/T;
renewed enthusiasm.

[silverbaggie]

Have seen the Baggies play in Swansea on a couple of occasions.

Last time we won when Ishmail Miller scored and put us two up late on.

Whew how long ago was that.??

[drewks]

It's to the player's credit, and AP too, that we looked much more positive last week, what with AP only having been in charge for a day or 2.
Realistically it's going to be another few weeks till we can really say that this is his team, his preferred line up, his way of playing. However, I feel we've really got to go for it in this game; Swansea's confidence is shot and they're there for the taking. Is Chadli fit? Presume Mozza isn't, yet. Burke?  We certainly need to start creating chances as much through creativity as effort so let's hope we've got enough fit bods for him to pick a team to achieve this.
Would like to see Krychowiak picked and not shackled - he's meant to be a top drawer box -to-boxer isn't he......let's give him a free reign and show us what he can do

[WBA-Josh]

I think we will see the following team:

Foster
Nyom - Hegazi - Evans - Gibbs
Phillips - Yacob - Livermore - Field
Rondon - Rodriguez

An interchangeable team which can play in multiple formations during the match without any substitutions necessary.

Swansea are definitely there for the taking tomorrow and anything less than a win to take us away from the relegation zone will be disappointing. A WBA win might also force Swansea into a change of management which could mean Tony Pulis donning his cap and trainers and ruining another clubs reputation to get the magical 40 points.

[drewks]

I think we will see the following team:

Foster
Nyom - Hegazi - Evans - Gibbs
Phillips - Yacob - Livermore - Field
Rondon - Rodriguez

An interchangeable team which can play in multiple formations during the match without any substitutions necessary.

Swansea are definitely there for the taking tomorrow and anything less than a win to take us away from the relegation zone will be disappointing. A WBA win might also force Swansea into a change of management which could mean Tony Pulis donning his cap and trainers and ruining another clubs reputation to get the magical 40 points.

Strange....a few years ago WE seemed to be the model for a small club; shortly after (as I remember it) Swansea almost adopted that mantle, and under Martinez they looked very good and really appeared to be going places. Since those days we've both seemingly lost our way, big time.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Have seen the Baggies play in Swansea on a couple of occasions.

Last time we won when Ishmail Miller scored and put us two up late on.

Whew how long ago was that.??

2010, last time we were promoted.

[talkSAFT]

This match is - in words of one syllable - PIVOTAL.

[WBA-Josh]

It looks like:

Foster
Nyom - Hegazi - Evans - Gibbs
Kanu - Yacob - Livermore - Field
Rondon - Rodriguez

Phillips failed a late fitness test and Morrison and Chadli are both out injured.

[baggietrousers]

Thats still lacking any creativity and contains three 'attackers' who couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Take it Phillips is still injured and Burke must just be failing to impress in training.