21-11-2025, 15:31
(This post was last modified: 21-11-2025, 15:31 by Ska'dForLife-WBA.)
Having bought some much-needed breathing space with the comeback win against Oxford, and enjoyed a fortnight's respite to plan for the battles to come, it's back to the unforgiving grind for Ryan Mason and the beleaguered Baggies. Though still only four points off the playoffs, I think most of us have accepted that they're an unrealistic target this season; yet with that acceptance of mid-table mediocrity comes a far greater weight on local bragging rights, and this week will go a long way to determining who can claim the mantle of Pride of the Midlands in 2025. (For administrative purposes, this house no longer recognises the existence of the Premier League or its deluded denizens.)
First up is a trip to Coventry tomorrow, where Frank Lampard has truly brought back the glory days of Steve Ogrizovic and away kits manufactured by Cadbury's. Having finally retrieved their stadium from the exiled Nigerian prince they donated it to, and planted the magic beans they got in return, the wind is well and truly in the sails of the Sky Blues as they set a course at full steam for promotion. (Look, it's my metaphor, and I'll mix my means of nautical propulsion if I want to.) Unbeaten on home soil so far, while Albion have spent the last six weeks looking like absolute pot plants on the road, it would frankly be an upset if we were to come away from the Arena Formerly Known As Ricoh with so much as a point, and if we can simply keep Brandon Thomas-Asante from scoring a hat-trick then I'd take it.
However, assuming that the Coventry jaunt is a write-off places infinitely more weight on Wednesday night's follow-up when we play host to Birmingham City. Resurgent under the ownership of Toms Wagner and Brady, and fresh from unveiling the concept art for their planned new stadium (which could best be described as a Christmas cake gone dreadfully awry), they'll be hoping for a derby win to help win over some of those shy 62,000 Blues fans who've been conspicuous in their absence from St Andrew's for the last 150 years. Anything can happen when local pride is at stake, and Albion will be leaning heavily on our ever-so-slightly-better home form, but two defeats on the trot would be enough to land Mason right back in hot water by the end of the month, so by hook or by crook, we need to come out of this week with something to show for our efforts.
First up is a trip to Coventry tomorrow, where Frank Lampard has truly brought back the glory days of Steve Ogrizovic and away kits manufactured by Cadbury's. Having finally retrieved their stadium from the exiled Nigerian prince they donated it to, and planted the magic beans they got in return, the wind is well and truly in the sails of the Sky Blues as they set a course at full steam for promotion. (Look, it's my metaphor, and I'll mix my means of nautical propulsion if I want to.) Unbeaten on home soil so far, while Albion have spent the last six weeks looking like absolute pot plants on the road, it would frankly be an upset if we were to come away from the Arena Formerly Known As Ricoh with so much as a point, and if we can simply keep Brandon Thomas-Asante from scoring a hat-trick then I'd take it.
However, assuming that the Coventry jaunt is a write-off places infinitely more weight on Wednesday night's follow-up when we play host to Birmingham City. Resurgent under the ownership of Toms Wagner and Brady, and fresh from unveiling the concept art for their planned new stadium (which could best be described as a Christmas cake gone dreadfully awry), they'll be hoping for a derby win to help win over some of those shy 62,000 Blues fans who've been conspicuous in their absence from St Andrew's for the last 150 years. Anything can happen when local pride is at stake, and Albion will be leaning heavily on our ever-so-slightly-better home form, but two defeats on the trot would be enough to land Mason right back in hot water by the end of the month, so by hook or by crook, we need to come out of this week with something to show for our efforts.
"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
