Never has the age old cliché of a game of two halves been more appropriate, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
The first half was probably the worst 45 minutes of football I have seen for a very long while (including both teams).
The only talking point was the red card for Mifsud, what on earth was he thinking?
Thank heaven Hoefkens was not badly injured, especially as we then went on to pick up our third serious injury in two games, when Morrison fell awkwardly to dislocate his knee.
Morrison was on a good run of form after finally finding his feet at this level; and we wait to hear how long he will be out for.
The second half witnessed a complete transformation in our play, passes started finding our players, we started finding space, and we went on to score some very impressive goals.
Both Texeira’s second and Robinsons deft chip will be goal of the season contenders, and with Brunt and Bednar playing well once introduced the 4-0 score line did not flatter us at all.
The key to the performance in my opinion was patience, with Coventry down to ten men they were always going to tire, and although I was impressed with their work rate, our superior quality eventually shone through.
It was also pleasing to see our defence standing up to another physical challenge set by a Coventry side, who recently bullied Stoke out of three points. Barnett slotted in well next to the impressive Cesar, and Robinson had probably his best game so far this season.
The international break has probably come at a good time for us, we know sit second and only six points behind the early pace setters Watford. But with injuries to key players it is now fingers crossed our internationals return to us unharmed.
My only concern is our lack of cover in central defence, with Albrechsten out, Clement still struggling; our only cover is Shelton Martis or Pele.
Maybe it is me being greedy but I would like to see Mowbray dip into the loan market for another centre half, we have steadily built up some momentum and with our goal difference acting as an extra point, I do not want to see us lose ground due to not having cover for a key position.
Mowbray obviously reads my blogs, (having correctly predicted the starting line up and team selection in my blog Friday), so I am sure he will now go and do as instructed (tongue firmly in cheek).
Maybe, Primus (Portsmouth), Huth (Middlesborough), Jaidi (Birmingham), Henchoz, Khizanishvili (Blackburn), all fit but cannot get a game.
Albion fans, what do you think? Leave your comments below
22 Comments
Jarrod - I was also thinking about centre back and I think we could move Hoefkens across and bring in Hodgy… we still have quite a few options.
3 injuries would devestate most teams but TM hhas looked at the entire squad and brought accordingly. Obviously some will be better than others but the depth is looking great.
You are right about us being patient last night - we needed to earn the right to play - and we did.
Well all you have said is spot on jarrod, but i think we should be okay on the defense as all back- up as far as i have seen seem to be upto the job, the break for international ponsing around should give quite a nice build up to the proper big game we have with the rusty shirt brigade, wonder what they are all thinking this morning ???
4 goals and our top two didnt even score … thats team work ….COME ON YOU BAGGIES…BOING BOING !
good win, having said that Misfud is their best player and it kind of threw the game one way.
Wolves will be a closer game and a repeat of the 3-0 of last year will be very hard to do. I think it could be a draw if not a Wolves win. Phillips will be a big loss.
I’m a big fan of Mowbray, but does anybody else have question marks about this 4-4-1-1 that we sometimes play away from home? We’re a naturally attacking side and I can’t help think we’re restricting ourselves with this formation.
Okay, we won 4-0 and looked good once we were in front, but had we not scored when we did, we were looking as though we lacked a bit of creativity.
With Tex dropping off, it makes it difficult for us to get in behind teams like we do with 4-4-2. Coventry sat deep with their 10 men and for 50 minutes, we played in front of them and barely mustered a shot on target.
Call me cynical, but had it been 11 against 11 and a tight game, we could have been made to pay with their ability from set-pieces.
Warren - I actually like the 4-1-1 formation, but only because of the players we have.
It was ok when Tex was playing behind miller, but when TM moved Gera in the hole and Tex out wide right it really took off.
Any formation that has Gera, Koren,Tex and Morrison/Brunt will be attacking. Much better to play this way than go too gung-ho. As we saw last night - we can always bring a 2nd forward on.
HB, from what i have seen, i do not think Hoefkens is good enough in the air to play a central role.
I feel strongly that we need some extra cover to the same standard that we now have in Cesar.
The only blessing with the serious injury last night is that it was a midfielder, as it is the position we have the most strength in depth.
I agree (not for the 1st time) with HB, but also you will find we have used this 4-4-1-1 formation a couplke of times away from home, to which we scored 2 or 3 goals in each of these games, so either way with the squad we have got goals are being scored. bonus we have got Midfielders are also getting in on the act….IT’S GREAT!!!!
Jarrod/Bomber
I apologise in advance for shooting
off at a tangent regarding the theme of this blog.
Just heard some FANTASTIC news,
seems KP will be back in about four weeks!
Mowbray deserves a lot of credit for last night aswell. He switched Gera and Tex round and it made all the difference.
I would also like to appeal to who ever it is who has stolen the teams razors, it is childish, please return them, i am starting to struggle to tell the difference between Greening, Hoefkens,Cesar, and Grizzly Adams.
True HB, and I agree the 4-4-1-1 means we can incorporate our Tex, Gera, Koren and Morrison/Brunt (who I thought looked useful when he came on).
It just sometimes reminds me of watching England in the World Cup under Sven, in that we can keep possession all day and look good while doing it, without really hurting a team while we’re in front of them.
If Miller’s being crowded out by the 2 centre-backs, who’s running beyond if all our other attacking players are coming deep and playing it between themselves.
Maybe it’s just me being paranoid HB, you’re a true optimist, maybe I’m turning into the opposite!! Was truly worried after 50 or so minutes. Maybe I should have more faith!!
Fantastic news regarding Kev Phillips, should be back in four weeks!!!
Warren said:
maybe I’m turning into the opposite!! Was truly worried after 50 or so minutes. Maybe I should have more faith!!
Dont worry mate, I think its actually a medically recognised condition, every WBA fan has it haha! I was in the same boat up until the first goal.
bomber - he could fill in if we were desperate but you are right that it would not be ideal.
But with clem and martis also at the club and poss Pele, plus hopefully albre back around xmas (?) do we really need another CB - and who decent would come and sit on the bench (Curtis Davies - LOL).
Don’t want to alarm anyone…but with To Mo saying that there are premiership scouts at our matches and he doesn’t know who they are watching…this concerns me.
Are the big fish planning smash and grab raids in the Jan window maybe. My first thought is that any potential target would stay and go up with us ,especially the football we are playing at the moment. But may some be tempted away maybe Gera or Koren to name but two.
Hold on to your hats it could be a bumpy ride, but wow what football we are being treated to in the process.
It is the price you pay for having such a good squad.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Boing Boing!!
boingboing666, i think i am coming down with a dose of it, (pessimists unite).
I know i am harping on a bit now, but Clements injured, Martis???? Seen him once and was not convinced, say Barnett or Cesar is sick or injured.
Bugger, i am panicking again….
I rate Hodgkiss and Hoefkens, but they are right backs.
The more i think about it, the more i am convinced there is no harm in getting someone in, we have the money, i want an insurance policy.
Pele and Martis, sorry not convinced.
To Baggiebornandbred,
If i was a prem scout, the player i would be interested in the most would be Koren.
Mr Consistent, five goals already this season, fittest guy at the club, yep he would be top my list!!
If things get too desperate we can always play Mark Venus and Tony Mowbray at the back
The big question for me is how will we line up on the 25th against our friends down the road.
Every home game so far we have played 4-4-2 but with Phillips out and Bednar not having any first team time under his belt I can’t see any further than the formation we played last night.
Has anyone been on the Wolves blog?
Talk about poor PR, Manager turns on the fans, fans turn on the Manager. Supporters criticised, expectations too high, players not performing.
They are fifth, and only four points behind our automatic place, they won on Saturday didnt they?
Does anyone else think that we might be contributing to this situation??
By that, i mean, they see us winning, playing the most attractive football in the division. This combined with our new found team spirit, everyone backing Mowbray, and the insurance that we have money to spend in January if required.
Wolves expectations have been raised since last season, and now with everything looking rosy at the Hawthorns, maybe just maybe, Wolves fans not only demand a win, but want to win like we do……
….. with style.
Just a thought….
Koren as i’ve said before is the best midfielder in the league and WILL attract prem scouts. BUT does Mr. Peace let anyone leave unless he absoloutaly needs to. We’ve ripped off fulham for kamara, wigan paid over the odds for jase (even though i’d have him back t’moz - only 3million though) and well if villa pay 10million for Davies i’ll eat my hat- but think they have too!!
A few albion fans critisize Peace but i’ll say what a wonderful job he is doing.
So the only player who may leave is gera and even though i like him we’d have more than enough cover/quality to live with it. Now who do we sign! Definately a c/half and any of the ones jarrod mentioned,especially huth, henchoz would be great but would they come without being guaranteed a place!? No. So maybe he needs to think long term and buy another top quality c/half ready for the step up to prem next season! It is going to happen this season, no question about it.
My last comment is about richards post. Mate how do you predict a wolves win? On what basis? Please reveal all…
West brom was lucky last nite it was 12 versus 10. Stupid draw’s at home to teams like Sheffield Wednesday will cost them come the end of the season. Jarrod you rock
how pathetic are you no 21: 12 men sorry but are you still commenting on last tuesdays match when we played against weds and the ref (6mins) need i say anymore.. i assume you are a dingle so was not there last night.. i was and to be perfectly honest due to the position of seating i could not see why he was sent off,, until i got home and saw a replay, that man is a disgrace!!! if it had been joey barton at newcastle it would have made back page of the papers and all over sky sports!!! talking about his tackle on saturday!!!FA action called for!!!!