[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

After a dismal defeat against Pulis's Middlesbrough (in a twist which surprised no one who's seen Albion turn out against a Pulis side at any time in the last fifteen years), things get no easier for the Baggies with the visit of the Albion Rejects XI this Saturday, just finding some form at the worst possible time.

With both Berahino and McClean finding the net, the chances of insult being piled onto injury look depressingly high. We've failed to secure a midfield dynamo to stamp his authority on the middle of the park, and our passing game just isn't good enough to deal with teams who press high and get in our faces. The only consolation is that our forward line can still do damage when they get the ball; here's hoping they see plenty of it on Saturday.

[BaggieMan]

We’ve done relatively well against Sjoke in recent years but be prepared for the ‘Baggie Rejects’ to turn it on against us tomorrow. They will be motivated and with Biriani scoring for the first time in approaching three years we could be in trouble.

I believe the 7-1 and 3-4 were fluke flash-in-the-pan results as although our forwards may be able to score, it’s a question of giving them the service and creating the chances which against a determined Boro side we were unable to do.

[GlassEyedBomber]

We have to start Barry!

Only way I can see us winning this one.

[talkSAFT]

Fingers in ears:

Heyyyyy
Berahino
- Ooh Ahh
I wanna know-ow-ow
Why you're such a ****

(Even the respectable ladies with kiddies were singing all but the last word, this time last Year).

He came on as sub after the hour and had 2 touches. Same again Saddo, please.

[WBA-Josh]

Adarabioyo dropped rather than Hegazi and when will Big Dave learn that Livermore and Brunt doesn’t work as central 2?

Johnstone
Dawson - Hegazi - Bartley
Phillips - Livermore - Brunt - Gibbs
Barnes
Rodriguez - Gayle

[BaggieSteve]

As everyone probably know the quote, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". I guess as fans we're all missing something that the Albion coaching staff see. Livermore and Brunt must be unbelievable in training, I can' think of any other reason why they persist in this failed combination. Hoping today proves me wrong.

[Beefy 1965]

Some much that it beggers belief why a Cm wasn't brought in the window
Time to be overun in midfield again, Brunty being to slow in there and picks up his daily match booking etc etc etc....

[WBA-Josh]

Livermore and Brunt vs Allen and Etebo. We’re going to be out-passed and bullied in there.

If we want to continue playing with 3 centre backs then we need to tweak the midfield 3 in my opinion. Right now it’s Barnes in front of Livermore and Brunt. What we need to do is bring Barry in for Brunt and play him as the 6. Then push Livermore forward to the 8 (box-to-box role) alongside Barnes as a 10 (creative midfielder). That will free up Livermore to play his more natural role with Barnes whilst Barry anchors the midfield.

Barry
Livermore - Barnes

[Beefy 1965]

1-0 Gayle
Good goal apparently

[Slick_Footwork]

Playing pretty well, but can't help thinking we will rue the missed chances. Should be 3 up.

Stoke's best chances so far have come from our own mistakes, defence and goalkeeper look like they have errors in them. Just hope we score again before they inevitable screw up comes.