[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Bobby Cram and Denis Law go head to head as Albion face Man Utd on the opening day of the season; 20th August 1966

As a reminder of just how much can change from one season to another, this Sunday we welcome Manchester United to the Hawthorns for the first time since a lively 2-2 draw during Alan Irvine's brief honeymoon period. After back to back wins and a creditable away draw against the league leaders, the table isn't looking so bad for Albion, and it's the first time we've been able to say that at the start of March for at least three years. The key, of course, is to push on from here and see whether climbing above 10th place really will give Tony an attack of vertigo; hopefully, he might discover that the view up there is worth it.

We're into a tough run of fixtures, and a troubled Manchester United who've nonetheless started to sniff out some form again will fancy their chances with us. But they're not the only ones suddenly in form: Saido's got his head screwed on, Rondon's got his feet screwed on, and whatever Craig Gardner's been screwing has just about turned him into Maradona. There's every reason to hope for a decent game and possibly a decent result, with no real pressure to worry about. What more can you ask for on a Sunday afternoon? Over to you, Albion.

[drewks]

Great article again, Ska'd

I'm almost hoping that Utd were coming into this game on the back of a heap of easy wins, and we were struggling like crazy; we'd obviously win at a canter then.

Can certainly see us getting a win here - had a decent record against them recently haven't we? - but yet another draw is more probable, methinks

[Beefy 1965]

Watford really attacked them at O/T and should have been 3 up at half time,
If we attack them there defence is vulnerable,
So play like we did against Palace, and as Saido likes to score against Man Ure .................

WE CAN WIN THIS

[BaggieMan]

Aries, Johnny Kaye in the background ?

I notice you were at the game !  Back row standing up to the right of Kaye.  See you have your Baggie scarf and rattle !!!

[Stairs]

Oh I get giddy when I think a win is possible against Man Utd and I am not sure I should be driving at the moment. Usually I end up being disappointed but here's hoping.

Ska'd (great article and pic, as always) is right. Saido, Rondon, Sess and the mercurial Gardner could star in a memorable game that would also almost certainly make us safe.

But it is on TV.

[talkSAFT]

I couldn't work out that photo. But it's the Away game (Old Trafford).

[BaggieMan]

Man United ?
Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
5-5

[silverbaggie]

Aries, Johnny Kaye in the background ?

I notice you were at the game !  Back row standing up to the right of Kaye.  See you have your Baggie scarf and rattle !!!

You pipped me to it BaggieMan. Yes I reckon it's Kaye.

Another high scoring game between these two sides albeit we lost 3-5 this time.

No wonder home games against Untd were an absolute must.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Yeah, the photo is the Old Trafford game in 1966. If you'd like some Hawthorns images to study, here's George Best running riot:




Astle scoring the first in the 6-3 win of May 1968:




And we'll see if anyone can recognise these two fellas:

[Beefy 1965]

After long lay off's
Valencia,Fellaini,And Phil Jones are all in the Squad to face WBA