26-11-2014, 19:43
(This post was last modified: 26-11-2014, 20:55 by Ska'dForLife-WBA.)
Stopping the rot. As football clichés go, it's one that gets more than its fair share of airtime and column inches, but with precious little effort expended on the combination of factors which are required to pull a team out of a slump in form. Are the best players comfortable with their roles and motivated to perform to their highest standard? Are other players being used in a way which exploits their strengths and covers their weaknesses? Has the boss done his homework on the opposition's system? Can he get confidence back up if things start badly? When all's said and done, is the team really good enough to grind out a win at all costs?
But enough about Arsenal's problems. Time to worry about them Baggies instead...
![[Image: Grace_jones.jpg]](http://s27.postimg.org/m1bqorrar/Grace_jones.jpg)
I honestly don't know what absent combination of fitness, quality and desire have combined to keep most of Albion's new attackers out of the team during what's become an increasingly poor autumn. As I said last weekend, my real fear is that one of these days we're going to see the likes of Blanco, Samaras and Ideye in the starting eleven and quickly discover why Mozza, Dozza and Brunty have been getting picked ahead of them. But with Arsenal's defence in a wobblier state than usual, the opportunity's there this week for anyone who wants to stake a first team place this winter to really prove their worth.
It's been implied by some local journalists that there's a little dissatisfaction behind the scenes with the approach which has left Albion without a goal scored from open play by one of our own boys since Berahino's strike against Man Utd. Whether this translates to any actual pressure on Alan Irvine's job, I don't know. I'd hazard a guess that in such a transitional period for Albion, results will always trump performances; as much as it may annoy and infuriate many folks, if Irvine can deliver ugly 1-0 wins for the time being, that'll be enough to keep him employed. Of course, if we simply continue with ugly defeats instead, history shows us exactly what will happen, and it will be sudden and merciless.
At the very least, I hope for a bright, attacking start from Albion. Arsenal remain a good enough side that we'll no doubt have to get all hands behind the pump for periods of the game, but it's crucial that we get some kind of momentum and impetus behind us early on to give the players confidence and give the fans something to cheer. If we don't manage that, the rot may get more rotten still.
One from the golden era. Asa Hartford manages to go from the sublime to the ridiculous! And, as ever, a blinding performance by the King.
But enough about Arsenal's problems. Time to worry about them Baggies instead...
A melancholy mood in the Arsenal dressing room as missed chances start to weigh heavy on Danny Welbeck.
I honestly don't know what absent combination of fitness, quality and desire have combined to keep most of Albion's new attackers out of the team during what's become an increasingly poor autumn. As I said last weekend, my real fear is that one of these days we're going to see the likes of Blanco, Samaras and Ideye in the starting eleven and quickly discover why Mozza, Dozza and Brunty have been getting picked ahead of them. But with Arsenal's defence in a wobblier state than usual, the opportunity's there this week for anyone who wants to stake a first team place this winter to really prove their worth.
It's been implied by some local journalists that there's a little dissatisfaction behind the scenes with the approach which has left Albion without a goal scored from open play by one of our own boys since Berahino's strike against Man Utd. Whether this translates to any actual pressure on Alan Irvine's job, I don't know. I'd hazard a guess that in such a transitional period for Albion, results will always trump performances; as much as it may annoy and infuriate many folks, if Irvine can deliver ugly 1-0 wins for the time being, that'll be enough to keep him employed. Of course, if we simply continue with ugly defeats instead, history shows us exactly what will happen, and it will be sudden and merciless.
At the very least, I hope for a bright, attacking start from Albion. Arsenal remain a good enough side that we'll no doubt have to get all hands behind the pump for periods of the game, but it's crucial that we get some kind of momentum and impetus behind us early on to give the players confidence and give the fans something to cheer. If we don't manage that, the rot may get more rotten still.
Classic Match
West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Arsenal
Football League, First Division: 24th April 1971
One from the golden era. Asa Hartford manages to go from the sublime to the ridiculous! And, as ever, a blinding performance by the King.
"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
![[Image: 1348664730___West_Brom_-_Banner.png]](http://www.footballaid.com/uploads/teams/1348664730___West_Brom_-_Banner.png)
