15-08-2019, 18:00
![[Image: WBALuton.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/hgxv7Gy/WBALuton.jpg)
Albion being Albion, we've somehow managed in the space of three games to go from dead certs for top spot to dead certs for bottom, with barely a pause in the middle to suggest that we might simply be one of the many middling teams in the division with our share of strengths and weaknesses. Certainly, being put out of the League Cup by Millwall at the first hurdle was hardly a moment of distinction for Slaven Bilic, but given our usual relationship with the competition, nor was it especially a surprise.
As one of those who firmly believes that there's no point in assessing a new season and new manager until at least September, Bilic has four games remaining in the month to bounce back from the Millwall setbacks and get Albion on course again, the first two of which fall in the coming week. On Saturday, Albion visit Kenilworth Road for the first time since September 2006, for a fixture that's really more reminiscent of the Eighties and Nineties. No astroturf these days, but Luton have fought their way back into the upper reaches of the football pyramid after a lengthy tour of the lower leagues, and after a fighting start to their campaign against Boro and Cardiff, they'll look to record their first win back in the Championship on home soil. Albion are then back at home for the opening midweek clash of the season against Reading on Wednesday, who've had a very poor start. Four points from these games would probably be a decent return, though anything less than three would be very concerning.
It's up to Bilic to find his best team from the options available, having now seen what most of the squad have to offer. These two matches are a good opportunity to do so, and realistically, in a week's time we should have a concrete idea of who'll we be seeing week in, week out from here.
"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
