[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Derek Kevan and Jimmy Campbell on the attack against Burnley, 6th September 1958

Contrary to my worst fears, our performance at Leicester a fortnight ago was a marked improvement on previous games, and though we maybe rode our luck a little at times, we came away with a deserved win.  However, with just five points presently separating 8th place from 18th, and Albion perched in the middle of that bunch with a modest total of 13, the coming weeks are our best opportunity of pushing ourselves up the table well before the congested Christmas schedule.  We begin on Monday night with Burnley at home.

The last time they visited the Hawthorns, we dispatched the Clarets 4-0 and were praising the tactical genius of Alan Irvine; I think it's fair to say that a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.  Burnley, alongside Hull, have set themselves up as one of this decade's yo-yo clubs, but following a shaky start to the season they sit a point above us in the table thanks to back-to-back home wins over Crystal Palace and Everton, as well as a creditable draw at Old Trafford.  That point was their first on the road all season, and I don't suppose you could blame them for wanting to add a first away win into the bargain against us.

For us, it may well end up being the age-old frustration of trying to break a team down with our one attacking gear.  However, if Matty Phillips can turn in another performance like he did on our last outing, here's hoping for better.

[talkSAFT]

Are you sure that photo was 6th Sept, Ska'd? Most of the crowd are wearing St.Patrick's gear (suggesting March?)

This is a must-win, and I hope he starts with an attacking format. If he must play Fletcher tell him he's fighting for his place now.

[BaggieMan]

You must have exceptional eyesight Saft.....  the only person I can recognise is young Aries - the old grey haired fellah in the black coat on the right at the foot of the pillar!

Seriously, if Pulis plays Mozza with Chadli in an attacking formation, we could be on for three points but whats the betting we go back to defensive and 30% possesion.

[BaggieSteve]

I remember going to the 8-1 win in 1967. As I recall it was 5-0 at half time including a rare goal from Eddie Colquhoun. We also had two stone wall penalties refused, including one where their full back clearly palmed the ball over the bar and the ref gave a corner!

[Salopbaggie]

I will be a little surprised if Chadli plays any part at all tomorrow. Coming back after a "small" surgical procedure I fancy TP will think after Leicester we can do this one without him and give NC an extra week of recovery time.

[talkSAFT]

I remember going to the 8-1 win in 1967. As I recall it was 5-0 at half time including a rare goal from Eddie Colquhoun. We also had two stone wall penalties refused, including one where their full back clearly palmed the ball over the bar and the ref gave a corner!

I remember it well, Steve. We kicked towards the Smethwick 2nd half, and all the Brummie Road went round at 1/2 time. I think all the Burnley fans had had enough by then - not one to be seen! Didn't Bobby Hope get a hat-trick that day? (Sounds incredible, but I'm sure he did.)

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

I remember going to the 8-1 win in 1967. As I recall it was 5-0 at half time including a rare goal from Eddie Colquhoun. We also had two stone wall penalties refused, including one where their full back clearly palmed the ball over the bar and the ref gave a corner!

Didn't Bobby Hope get a hat-trick that day? (Sounds incredible, but I'm sure he did.)

No, you've misremembered: Hope got two, Clark got two, and Colquhoun, Kaye, Astle and Tony Brown got one each.

[BaggieSteve]

I remember going to the 8-1 win in 1967. As I recall it was 5-0 at half time including a rare goal from Eddie Colquhoun. We also had two stone wall penalties refused, including one where their full back clearly palmed the ball over the bar and the ref gave a corner!

I remember it well, Steve. We kicked towards the Smethwick 2nd half, and all the Brummie Road went round at 1/2 time. I think all the Burnley fans had had enough by then - not one to be seen! Didn't Bobby Hope get a hat-trick that day? (Sounds incredible, but I'm sure he did.)

I'd forgotten it was the days when you could walk around the ground! Ironically, my first ever Albion game was also against Burnley - 1962 against their great team that had won the league (Ray Pointer, Jimmy Adamson, Adam Blacklaw etc). We lost 2-1, I think Keith Smith got our goal, set up, as ever, by Derek "the tank" Kevan.

[BaggieMan]

Get in !!!!!

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Just hope they carry on attacking and not sit back

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Get in #2

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Could be four up by now - Pulis must be having nightmares !

[talkSAFT]

Well this is nice.