Saturday was simply an outstanding performance and result, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
As stated in my blog on Friday, I was worried about our lack of options as cover in defence.
Martis, Pele, and Steele, have made me eat my words, and I am big enough and ugly enough to admit when I am wrong.
Along with the ever reliable Hodgkiss, they all had excellent games, particularly when taking into account their collective lack of first team action.
If the referee had seen the blatant foul on Steele, our rookie defence would have also secured a clean sheet, and it would have been what their display warranted.
Martis slotted in at right back with Hodgkiss switching to left back, and Pele filled in at centre half, and while it could be argued all three were playing slightly out of position, you cannot argue about their performances.
After controlling much of the game we came under heavy pressure after Leicester’s controversial equaliser, but our rear guard stood firm, and enabled us to build a platform to grab the late, late winner.
Reports suggest Kiely will be out for approx three to four weeks, and his experience will be greatly missed, but I must say, if Steele can keep his performances at the same standard as Saturday, Kiely will have a fight on his hands to get his shirt back.
One particular save from a Kisnorbo header was one of the best saves witnessed this season, and from the first minute he looked assured and confident.
Many fans I have spoken to are of the opinion that Saturday was our best result of the season thus far; taking into account we were without nine first team players, and how could you disagree.
Again we were missing our front partnership of Phillips and Miller, and Mowbray went with Bednar upfront on his own.
His work rate was outstanding, and his willingness to always be in the box for crosses is causing opposition problems.
I would also like to highlight the improved performances of late from Chris Brunt, he is starting to show the type of form that Mowbray shelled out £3million for.
His cross for the Gera header was brilliant, and his all round display was worthy of MOTM award.
Now, how can I describe my feelings about the winner, and the goal scorer?
Yoooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuu beautttttttttttttyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!
Great goal, and yet another reason for me to eat humble pie.
I stated my lack of confidence in Beattie on Friday, but that goal must be a huge shot in the arm, both for us the fans, but more importantly for him.
All of the players and particularly the fringe players deserve huge congratulations for Saturday’s performance, and the result made the pain of Christmas shopping on Sunday at Merry Hell almost bearable.
And finally, to all those who told me I was being to pessimistic on Friday, you were right, I was wrong, and I have never been happier to admit it.
Albion fans what do you think? Have your say below
25 Comments
Yes mate I was totally with you last week but we were great—especially the back 4—I still worry a little about Steele’s cross taking and positional sense but heyhoe I would go for the same back 5 and put Robbo and Hof on the bench. Remember how tired we looked at Palace and the poor Coventry result so give those boys a rest. Agree with you that Blunt had agreat match, Beattie’s goal was outstanding but if KP is fit and raring to go he has to be picked. In my eyes Greening had another superb maych—definetly our player of the season so far.
1. No way will KP be match fit for Saturday - I doubt we’ll see any of the injured troops before Xmas
yeah you gotta agree old Jesus has been consistent this season! perhaps one of my favourite players recently, I always rated him before he came to the Hawthorns, and what a joy when he put pen to paper.
Please send a large slice of that pie to Happy Baggie.
He will need some nutrition to continue the relentless work rate on the Wolves blogs
Jarrod
Don’t beat yourself up mate,
you were not alone among the Baggie
ranks who feared the worst.
To me, there are two types of people.
a) Those nervous of failure.
b) those who prepare for success.
Most fans fall into category (a)
indeed our former manager also fell into this category.
TM is unquestionably and thankfully
type (b)
The man only works in a positive way,
before kick off he will have used
our perceived position of weakness
to galvanize the players determination.
After Saturday,
he may just have converted a few
(a) types,
what do you reckon ?
wbaforever,
So true, my blog has not stated just how good a game Martis had at right back, not just defensively, but also in attack.
Although i am not getting to carried away with Saturdays result, it has made me so much more confident for the rest of the season. We now know that the fringe players are upto the challenge ahead and are ready to fight for a shirt.
Yes it was an eye opener!!!
I was totally surprised that you won on Saturday considering how many players were out but the replacements did their job well and nicked a result, just goes to show what can be achieved with a squad with strength in depth which I wish we had at Wolves. Your ethic is attack minded which wins games while ours is to defend with as many bodies as possible, hence we don’t score goals as nearly all our players are in our own half! Looks like you will be going up but we are shaping up for a play-off lottery position at best and anything can happen in those games as we all know. A win for you guys on Saturday will give even more confidence to everyone involved and who will then stop you from going up, not us that’s for sure!
4 - don’t worry about me… I have a big supply of mince pies here… I can post for AGES !!!!
CRIKEY - optimism has finally burst out at the Hawthorns !!!
Bomber & Forever… welcome to the wonderful and often blinkered world of Happy Baggie !!
Forever - I feel I have definately been sitting in camp B - sometimes without justification - but I have great faith in TM and now can start to feel just slightly smug as a few doubters join me.
Still not getting too carried away - but LOVIN what we are doing and deep down feel confident that this league is ours for the taking.
1st time on your blog but i said it at the start of the season and i,ll say it again now…
by the end of march we will be,as good as,promoted!!!
people have knocked the signings,the tactics and formations but league tables dont lie.in fact,after saturday,its probably give TM a bigger headache as in who to drop.
ok,leicester aint great but how can Pele be dropped?
i travel to Scotland regular and told my mates 12 months before he got the job,that this was the man to lead the Baggies to the promised land.i still maintain that had we had Kiely from the start we would have gone up.but we,ll wait and come next august…
i,ll also make another prediction..
in 5 years time,TM would have moved on to a bigger club and will,eventually become England manager.
Enjoy the ride,fellow Baggies…the next few seasons are going to be good!!!!!
i think you will go up. BUT, ain’t happy baggie got nothing better to do???? think its sad what hes doing. UP THE WOLVES!!!!
the next 3 weeks will be a test for albions 2nd keeper as kiely is out injured for that time !!.if the defence don’t get their act together then i can see the goals coming into the back of there net.kiely has been one of the best players this season if not their best.December is a time of pressure matches it’s a time when you need a goalie of his class. Saturday against charlton will be one of the biggest tests yet,don’t play phillips against charlton because he’s a player they will target so soon back from injury,tony if you play him before he is fully fit & able to take knocks,then don’t play him.because if he get’s injured he could be out all season. by the way this is from a wolves fan that would like to see wolves & albion promoted this year.
Just goes to show you who doubt signings after a short time.
I remember Tony Brown being hailed as not having anything going for him by some doubters.
Remember more recently Igor Balis ,first season ‘he’s no good’ to following season what a catch.
Remember last season Franksy and his cronies saying Robert Koren could not play.Don’t hear them saying that now.
Remember give new players time to bed in before critisism.
Boing Boing what wonderful football we are watching.
Franksy is a waste of space,changes his tune at the drop of a hat. He is a poisonous guy who can get fans to turn on players and managers,for that reason I will not listen to WM sport. No11 thats why he`s called HAPPIE because he isn`t SAD not like your lot when you lose on sat.
stefanwolves,
Have i missed something??
What is Happy baggie doing??
Hi Happy nice to see you set up for Xmas keep on bloggin
Wbaforever: I think you’re dead right, but I know that I am always going to be in category a). I’m not proud of it but every time the ref blows for kick off, I am somehow filled with dread and I can’t help it. But even if I am a lost cause, I am delighted our manager is in category b). He is the best manager we have had by a million miles since prime-era Atkinson. We should all give Peace a lot of credit for hiring him; he got it very wrong with Robson, but he’s gone some way to making amends with Mowbray.
Jarrod,
I said last week you were a doomonger, and I would settle for a point against The Foxes, three was a bonus, I hope you had some custard with your pie.
Same faith Baggie Boys.
BOING BOING.
To Ken Hawthorn,
Cream actually!!
We is posh up ar way!!
If there’s humble pie on offer, Mr Hartson says he would like a big slice please, with lashings of gravy. As regard a pudding for afters, well I suggest a quick glance in the mirror…
wbabomber.
Point taken, but where’s “ar” way?
Baggie since’50s.
Didn’t “The Bomber” make his debut
in 1961, as a 16 year old apprentice signed from Man United?.
Correct me if I’m wrong.
Dave_Baggie since 64
No7. Ray Smith Wolves, Thanks for your comments it’s good to see that there are some Wolves supporters that appreciate good football. I do hope that the Wolves and Albion get into the Premiership and stay there next season. If so there will still be some fantastic Derbies to look forward to.
Hello Ken Hawthorn, how are you mate?
About time we saw you in The Vine again.
Without looking it up I thought Bomber made his debut in ‘62; but then again; I’m not as old as you!
Gordon Sundog
Hello “mate”, I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else, there’s only only one Vine in Walsall and and it’s been closed as a pub for over 20 years.