28-01-2015, 23:17
Unbeaten in 2015, dreaming of Wembley and splashing cash in the transfer window; for once, it's been a January to remember for the right reasons in B71. It comes to an end this Saturday, but we have the chance to see it out in style as in-form Tottenham come to town. Though our most important games in the coming months will be against fellow relegation strugglers, this is a golden opportunity for bonus points and a glimpse of how well we can measure up against a stronger side.
Time to build that momentum.
The new-look Albion seem to be evolving quite nicely. At Everton we saw a well-drilled defence who could have kept a clean sheet all night, but lacked an effective outlet to exploit the opposition's weaknesses; at Birmingham, teaming up with Saido finally brought the best from Big Vic, but again we needed to go backs-to-the-wall to see the game out. It'll probably be a while yet before we get the formula spot-on, but hopefully the addition of Callum McManaman this week will give us that extra cutting edge when breaking teams down.
Spurs have a formidable cutting edge of their own in the increasingly impressive Harry Kane, whose eight league goals - backed by the efforts of Chadli and Eriksen - have taken a lot of pressure off Mauricio Pochettino. An unexpected capitulation at Selhurst Park three weeks ago remains Tottenham's only league defeat since early December, and with a League Cup final now to look forward to, the London side are high on confidence. Though a congested fixture schedule has forced Spurs to play five matches in just over a fortnight - something a well-rested Albion could potentially take advantage of - this will still be a tough one for the Baggies, and a draw would be a good result before our crucial trip to Turf Moor.
Time to build that momentum.
"Come on folks, get yer genuine West Brom shirts here, handmade in Taiwan, only a fiver."
The new-look Albion seem to be evolving quite nicely. At Everton we saw a well-drilled defence who could have kept a clean sheet all night, but lacked an effective outlet to exploit the opposition's weaknesses; at Birmingham, teaming up with Saido finally brought the best from Big Vic, but again we needed to go backs-to-the-wall to see the game out. It'll probably be a while yet before we get the formula spot-on, but hopefully the addition of Callum McManaman this week will give us that extra cutting edge when breaking teams down.
Spurs have a formidable cutting edge of their own in the increasingly impressive Harry Kane, whose eight league goals - backed by the efforts of Chadli and Eriksen - have taken a lot of pressure off Mauricio Pochettino. An unexpected capitulation at Selhurst Park three weeks ago remains Tottenham's only league defeat since early December, and with a League Cup final now to look forward to, the London side are high on confidence. Though a congested fixture schedule has forced Spurs to play five matches in just over a fortnight - something a well-rested Albion could potentially take advantage of - this will still be a tough one for the Baggies, and a draw would be a good result before our crucial trip to Turf Moor.
Classic Match
West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Football League First Division: 9th February 1980
A bit of Cyrille magic to get us in the mood!
"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