[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

No way past Wile, Batson and Statham for Southampton at the Hawthorns, 10th March 1979

A three o'clock Saturday kick-off at the Hawthorns?  Whatever next?  I tell you, it's a slippery slope from this to ticket prices under twenty quid, players having a few drinks with supporters after the match, and everyone who funds English football on a weekly basis being treated like a responsible adult by the custodians of the sport.  Well, I hope it is, anyway.

I don't have too much to say in advance of our clash with Southampton; I haven't seen them play so far this season, and their results seem at best a very mixed bag.  What we see from them on Saturday could well determine whether they're still a powerful Premier League force who've suffered a slow August, or if the inevitable stagnation and decline has started to set in.  It remains to be seen what kind of line-up Albion will field after the final gusts of the transfer whirlwind a fortnight ago: whether it'll be a McAuley-Evans partnership in central defence straight away; whether Lindegaard will be thrown in at the deep end in preference to Myhill; whether Lambert (against his old club) can carry on forging a partnership with Rondon, and if the Berahino can is going to be kicked a little bit further down the road.

Of course, a home game against Southampton was our "warm-up" the week before visiting Villa Park back in the spring too.  We happily took three points off Koeman's boys, and then bottled it when it mattered.  I wouldn't say no to a good win tomorrow... but let's not forget what the main event is this time, eh lads?

Chris Brunt grabs the point against Southampton which sends Albion back to the Premier League, 28th April 2008

[talkSAFT]

Tomorrow's game is absolutely huge. A win will possibly calm a lot of people down; anything else will have us all worried sick.

(The caption for the above photo brought back big memories for me.
As I remember, my Best Man's speech included the half-time score, and I think it ended up as a draw (?).
It was the day I got married, and I've had 36 happy years since - and 21 happy years before - supporting The Baggies.)

 

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Yes, it was a 1-1 draw in the cup. The replay at the Dell didn't go so well...

[silverbaggie]

I was hoping that TP might be a fan of Robbie Williams and might decide on:-

"Let me entertain you!!!"

[betterthanbaird]

Won't be able to go or watch but I'll be thinking about the game and hopefully we'll get our first home win of the season but I wouldn't be devastated if we drew.

Rondon may not start cos of his long flight back from South America (I don't know when he arrived back). I reckon Berahino will be on the bench. Lambert will be against his former club and it would be great for him to get his first goal for us. Here's the team I want/expect:

Lindegaard/Myhill

Dawson McAuley Evans Brunt

Yacob Fletcher

McManaman Morrison McLean

Lambert/Rondon

Bench: Myhill/Lindegaard, Olsson, Gardner, Gnabry, Berahino, Anichebe, Rondon/Lambert.

No idea which keeper we'll go with.

Southampton tend to struggle to score against us and hopefully that will continue, I think we have a decent attacking threat now, McManaman is an excellent player on his day and normally looks dangerous. Morrison is very useful in the attacking midfield role and he can create decent chances.

Come on you Baggies

[WBA-Josh]

Subs
Lindegaard
Olsson
Chester
Gardner
McLean
Rondon
Whatshisface. It begins with a B I think.

[WillieJohnstonsGreenhouse]

Tomorrow's game is absolutely huge. A win will possibly calm a lot of people down; anything else will have us all worried sick.

(The caption for the above photo brought back big memories for me.
As I remember, my Best Man's speech included the half-time score, and I think it ended up as a draw (?).
It was the day I got married, and I've had 36 happy years since - and 21 happy years before - supporting The Baggies.)

 

Cheers for that talkSAFT - med me loff - Happy Anniversary (in my world it would be)

Don't want to get personal but you did 'the best man's speech' at your own wedding   (fair play chap )

---

Subs
Lindegaard
Olsson
Chester
Gardner
McLean
Rondon
Whatshisface. It begins with a B I think.

Loving that Josh 

- as long as they don't turn up and the pitch stays like that I think Pulis will get a storming draw.....

[Squirrel Regis]

Ok, think I've got the Stoke game out my system now and can't wait for the game tomorrow.
It's back to positive thinking and 100% behind the boys.
Even the greedy, immature Spurs loving...
Sorry, I mean our Saido

My prediction is a rip roaring, fully committed and all hands to the pump goal orgy with dutch Ronald realising that TP is actually the creator of total football.
Well, 1-0 to us anyway with Mozza scoring a belter and our defence doing a fine impression of Hadrians wall.
C O Y B

[WillieJohnstonsGreenhouse]

Ok, think I've got the Stoke game out my system now and can't wait for the game tomorrow.
It's back to positive thinking and 100% behind the boys.
Even the greedy, immature Spurs loving...
Sorry, I mean our Saido

My prediction is a rip roaring, fully committed and all hands to the pump goal orgy with dutch Ronald realising that TP is actually the creator of total football.
Well, 1-0 to us anyway with Mozza scoring a belter and our defence doing a fine impression of Hadrians wall.
C O Y B

It's a home game against (arguably, but not convincingly) our mid-table rivals

Should be a hard earned win...... I will leave it at that............ (where's the noose smilie when you need it?)

[Squirrel Regis]

That's the spirit Willie,
3 pts today by hook or by crook will do me.