[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

The season's last international break is on the way, and when we reconvene for the big (and hopefully stress-free) run-in through the warmer days and lighter evenings, we'll be in a good strong position to stake our claim on survival.

We do have one more chance to improve that position further before the run-in; however, it's at pretty much the worst corner of the Premier League for us.  Taking points from the Etihad is something that other teams do; no matter how well we're playing or how shaky Man City are, they always get their act together against us, and even when we perform well there, we never quite manage to deliver the killer blow.

With City on the verge of blowing the title race altogether, on the back of another European nightmare, they'll probably be in a mood to do damage this weekend.  And we'll probably be in a mood to take a 0-0 draw at all costs, which in this instance would be a damn good result.  Reaching 34 points wouldn't be a huge leap down the road to safety, but every little helps.

Classic Match

Manchester City 1-3 West Bromwich Albion

Football League, First Division: 2nd February 1980

City's summer exports return to haunt them at Maine Road.  Wonder if Lescott fancies his chances this week?

[drewks]

Whow - what a fantastic game that one from 79/80 was! A real testimony to the players' fitness and skill; the running into spaces was brilliant, and all on such a crap (by today's standards) pitch.

I really hope we don't park the bus here as I'm sure their quality will give them at least 2 goals if we just try and absorb pressure; let's give 'em something to think about with Sess picked to link with the 2 up front a la 79/80 mentality.......
.....unfortunately I can't see that happening and if not I can't see us surviving for the whole game without conceding at least twice

[Dingle-Dingle]

Didn`t realise Peter Barnes had eaten so many pies. Looked very chunky there. DD

[betterthanbaird]

Out the country for this game but I'll be thinking about us. Not confident and the experience of Foster and Brunt will be missed. I just want Lescott to have a decent game this time.

I was out the country when we had the snow game at home but I know that Lescott struggled.

[wba_1996]

Myhill
Dawson - McAuley - Lescott - Pocognoli
Gardner - Morrison - Fletcher - Sessegnon
Ideye - Berahino

Realistically that will be the team but probably without Poco^. I just pray he cuts out the Lescott at LB and refusal to start Sess away nonsense.

I'm happy for Mulumbu, Yacob or McManaman to come in for any of the midfielders bar Sess if TP see's fit. Strikers pick themselves and may actually cause City a few problems if we can get service to them, unlike the isolated lone striker we have been used to seeing at the Etihad under the last few managers.

[WBA Will]

Myhill
Dawson - McAuley - Olsson - Lescott
Gardner - Yacob - Fletcher - Morrison
Ideye - Berahino

Let's all be honest, that's what the team will be. 4 CBs, 4 CMs, 2 CFs, 0 shots on target. This is not going to be enjoyable for any Albion fan to watch, so I'm very glad I won't be able to. I don't fully understand how we can be such a different side away from home.

[BC Baggie]

Is Yacob not still suspended ??

---

Myhill

Dawson
McCauley
Lescott
Baird

Gardner
Morrison
Fletcher
Sess

Bobby
Berahino

If bobby doesn't make it bring in mulumbu, Jimmy out wide and sess shifts in behind Berahino

[Zinman]

I just hope that the driver knows where to park the bus. This won't be pretty and I wouldn't be surprised to see Wisdom in the team. We may dream of a team of Tony Browns but TP dreams of a team of centre halves and Saturday gives him a chance to move closer to his dream.

[BaggieMan]

After getting knocked out of Europe and losing to Burnley last week, we could get the backlash from Citeh so no doubt a double-decker will be parked in front of our goal.

Five centre halves if you count Wisdom who in truth is a centre half.

Myhill
Wisdom Dawson GMac Olsson Lescott
Gardner Yacob Mulumbu Baird
Berahino

It's what you get under TP so get used to it for future seasons. In summer we will see an influx of 6ft 6in skinhead thugs in the same mould as Ryan Shawcross and Charlie Adam.  Zzzzzzzzz....

[wba_1996]

Can't understand the hate for TP on this thread, infact its a joke. He has all but guaranteed survival in less than 3 months after we looked doomed to relegation under clueless Irvine, also I don't get where this idea of him signing centre backs in every position and only signing giants comes from - McManaman is 5'9" and Fletcher is 6'0". Yes the away performances have been pretty boring but at home we have been excellent.

Would people rather we had Irvine back, got relegated and spent years in the championship missing out on the TV money and the chance to grow our club? Because that is what would have happened.