30-11-2014, 19:43
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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)
