[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Albion's first-team players listen to the FA Cup Third Round draw in the car park, December 1962

Having slipped into the relegation zone at the weekend and failed to emerge again despite a brave fight against Man Utd, Albion have two chances this Christmas to lever ourselves out of the drop zone against teams who've also struggled through the autumn.

First comes a trip to the Britannia on Saturday, and though it's always a tough place to visit, I'd say this is perhaps our first real must-win game of the season. We can't afford another slip-up like the one at Swansea, for fear of being cut adrift. There have been definite signs of improvement in the last two matches, and this has to start translating into results.

On Boxing Day we welcome an improved Everton to the Hawthorns, having steered their way into the top half under Sam Allardyce and riding high in the form table. They seem pretty imperious at the moment, but are due a slip-up at some point, and we can only hope that Albion have it in them to give us a late Christmas present.

Here's hoping we can approach the New Year in a healthier position.

[talkSAFT]

The players in the photo were arguing whose turn it was to drive to training. You could only get 7 at a time in Don Howe's old Anglia, so he had to do 2 trips.

That was the famous horrific Winter of 62-63 when we hardly played at all from Jan to March, but we chalked up a 5-1 win away at (Exeter's rivals) Argyle in 3rd Round.
This time Exeter are only granting us 300 tickets, and I bet no more went to Plymouth 55 years ago, as the trains were probably not running, and a car or coach journey would have taken the best part of a week, especially with no M5!

[drewks]

At this stage of the season I'll bet supporters of many clubs will be looking at fixtures and classing them as "mustn't lose" games. It's all pretty close, but, as Everton have proved, even a small run of unbeaten games can propel you up the table in a flash.
I'm still confident that AP will get us going soon enough. IMO Chadli and Mozza are key players in what is at present a workman-like team and it'll be good to see 1, or both, back in the starting line up ASAP

[WBA-Josh]

4 points from the next 3 matches to finish 2017 and I think we'll be all set for a good second half to the season.

[BaggieMan]

And the same to you Josh !  

[Baggievicar]

I guess this is where we'll see whether optimism about AP is going to be justified. TP would have set us up to nick a draw here, and nothing more. I'm hoping for attacking intent - and that the players can then manage to put it into practice, via the back of the net.

[WBA-Josh]

GK - Foster

RB - Nyom
CB - Hegazi
CB - Evans
LB - Gibbs

RM - Livermore
CM - Barry
CM - Brunt
LM - McLean

ST - Rondon
ST - Robson-Kanu

Subs - Myhill, McAuley, Dawson, Yacob, Burke, Chadli, Rodriguez

I'm disappointed with the team picked especially when looking at the quality on the bench. Lose today and questions will have to be asked of Alan Pardew and his decisions early into his reign.

[Beefy 1965]

Thought Phillips was training and was going to be fit FFS

---

Just been told apparently Matty has told the Physio he doesn't feel 100 %

Matt Wilson‏Verified account
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Replying to @BeefyBaggie1965
it's a hamstring problem he's had in the past, so they're being ultra careful. But also get the impression part of it is mental. He doesn't feel 100 per cent

[talkSAFT]

Where's the Pole???

[tidy]

I was feeling optimistic about this game but seeing that line up I'll fear for the worst.

Happy Christmas.