[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

While last Saturday began less than ideally, it finished with excitement and bags of promise, especially from the new arrivals. With any luck, that will be carried forward on Monday evening when Albion host newly-relegated Watford at the Hawthorns, looking for that all-important first win against a promotion heavyweight.

It's the first league encounter between the sides since March 2018, and the first in this division since Easter 2010 when Brunty's last-gasp equaliser moved us one point closer to promotion. Needless to say, plenty has changed since then, not least as Troy Deeney is no longer around to score against us. Replacement striker Joao Pedro is, however, and it was the Brazilian's goal that got the Hornets off to a winning start versus Sheffield United last weekend. But Albion have their own assets in the final third: Jed Wallace's assist against Middlesbrough was his thirty-first in the last three years, a better record than any other player at this level, and it was fitting that fellow new boy John Swift was the man to slot it home. Daryl Dike's late cameo was also a highlight at the Riverside, with the Oklahoman using his Big-Davesque stature to breeze past some of the best defenders in the league as if he were riding a surrey with a fringe on top. (Let it never be said that I don't tailor my cultural references to a youth audience.)

It'll be a tough match, and Steve Bruce does have to get his selection right from the start, as Watford won't be as forgiving as Boro were last week. Another point would be an acceptable return against a side looking to bounce straight back to the Prem, but if Albion can find a victory from somewhere, it would settle a lot of nerves and banish a few lingering demons at the Hawthorns.

[Dingle-Dingle]

Anchibe, sorry Dike is rumoured to be injured ...... Again.

DD#No1

[Salopbaggie]

Well Dike certainly missing from the squad for tonight

[talkSAFT]

Oh shit 0-1

[Baggie_One]

Some goal though
Won’t see much better

---

Plus grant has missed 2

---

Grant
Finally

[talkSAFT]

COYB 1-1 Grant

[Slick_Footwork]

Completely unexpected, but it's the best we have played in a long time...

Even the likes of Darnell Furlong are playing well...

My only worry at half time is Watford's threat on the break and Mulumby getting sent off. But we're by far the best team. Hopefully we can keep the tempo up.

[Baggie_One]

Penalty to Watford

---

What a miss from 12 yards !! He can score from 60 though ?

[talkSAFT]

Huge roar for penalty save. Perry Barr shuddered.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Certainly deserved a point, arguably deserved all three. Lost a bit of steam towards the end, but we were asking questions of Watford right from kick-off, and had the better of the game. They offered very little except for the wondergoal and the through-ball leading to the penalty. All credit to Button there as well, he must have wanted the ground to swallow him up after their goal, but he kept his head and pulled off a solid save to redeem himself.

If we keep this up, results will come.