West Brom 0 Fulham 0
Saturday 24th September 2011, 5:09PM BST.
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson had to make do with a point from a goalless draw against his former club.
The Baggies’ failed to sparkle in a dire first-half that was edged by the Cottagers but featured a lack of goal chances.
The hosts were much-improved after the break but could not find a breakthrough, with visiting goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer denying Peter Odemwingie and Chris Brunt hitting the woodwork in stoppage time.
The scoreboard was blank at the end of a dreadful first-half, in which the visitors were neat but lacked penetration and West Brom started brightly but soon faded.
Chris Brunt had the only real Baggies chance with a clever run to meet a Nicky Shorey cross, but sent his header straight at Schwarzer in the Cottagers’ goal.
And the Australian had another simple save to make when Youssouf Mulumbu fired straight at him, after robbing Pajtim Kasami in midfield.
There was also a reprieve for Baggies goalkeeper Ben Foster on 13 minutes, when he spilled a regulation shot from Clint Dempsey into the path of Kasami, who buried the rebound only to have his celebrations cut short by an offside flag.
West Brom were on top for much of the second-half but struggled to turn their advantage into chances.
And they could have been behind soon after the restart when a shot from Clint Dempsey, that was heading wide, hit Jonas Olsson and bounced back off the woodwork with Foster beaten.
Shane Long had loud penalty appeals turned down for a shove by John Arne Riise, before Odemwingie squandered a glorious chance for West Brom.
The Nigerian raced through the Fulham defence to collect a brilliant Mulumbu through-ball, but fired his shot too close to Mark Schwarzer, who made a smart save.
With 12 minutes to go, substitute Bryan Ruiz hit the outside of Foster’s post with a follow-up effort, after the goalkeeper had parried a free-kick by Riise.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Brunt hit a right-footed shot that took the visitors by surprise, but thudded off the base of Schwarzer’s right-hand post and bounced to safety.
UK Sport
Latest Blog — Same again for West Brom
What a strange two weeks it has been since our last game. I haven’t looked over my neighbour’s fence with as much interest since Pamela Anderson moved in next door and regularly used her trampoline, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
Albion Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Observations from today’s game, which was on live over here:
First Half:
1) Thomas, Long and Odemwingie gave us nothing. Not once did one of them beat their man or get to the byline and cross the ball
2) We just couldn’t keep hold of the ball and always seemed to resort to a long punt forward which inevitably came straight back
3) Fulham dominated possession even with their weakened team and poor away record and were able to attack us through the middle
4) We don’t press the opposition high enough up the pitch and instead invite them onto us. We also seem too narrow which means there’s no outlet when we do win the ball back other than the hoof ball
Second Half:
1) I lost count of the number of times either Odemwingie or Long were caught offside; on occasions Pete just seemed too lazy to get back into an onside position
2) The two of them (Shane and Pete) do not seem able to play together albeit it’s still early days
3) Why did Roy wait so long again before making any substitutions; Thomas was awful today (again)
Overall:
1) Brunt, Mulumbu and McAuley were our best performers
2) If it isn’t broken why try and fix it; this is my not so subtle reference to 4-5-1. What we served up today was poor both in terms of the result and performance
3) We were regarded as one of the best football sides in the division last season but we look like a championship team at present, with no style and certainly no confidence
Report abuse
Yawn yawn but a cleansheet is a nice rare result for us. Nice to see Mcauley in the team but maybe Fulop could get a chance?
Report abuse
Bring back Mowbray. At least the football was entertaining even if we did loose.
We never look like winning. The hoofball is boring. Where’s our flare gone? I’m glad I watched this in the pub. I’d have been gutted to have paid to watch It.
Report abuse
JUST GOT BACK AND THE GAME WAS DIRE
SINCE ODEMWINGIE GOT HIS 50 GRAND A WEEK HE HAS BEEN DROSS.
IM SORRY BUT ITS TIME FOR ROY TO GO
Report abuse
Not thrilled with the result but the negative supporters need to be patient. One one side I can see the disapointment that a team that have been scoring so freely over the last few seasons have suddenly decided they need a sat nav to find the net. On the other hand the biggest worry over the last few years has been the amount of goals we give away and despite that disaster last week we seem to be a lot more solid. 2 clean sheets already and only 2 in totel last season. Be patient people Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Report abuse
Its clear after today that the 442 or 433 doesnt work for us….we dont get enough ball in the middle and were also asking for the likes of Brunt and Mulumbu to do something special with too many of the opposition around them. We need 451.
Thomas was none existent today, never showing for the ball and never protecting the fullback. Im sure Tychoi is a better option on the wing – at least he does something.
Asking PO to play wide right like he did in the first half is a waste of his talents – on the shoulder of the last man he will always make something happen.
I suppose a point is better than nothing, but were in trouble if we carry on playing like this? Hopefully RH will change the system pronto to get us playing again.
BTW, thought Gareth McCaauley had a great game today – a much better option than Gabby?
Report abuse
booji boy must b on something, to call for hodgsonn to go is ridicolous. yes things are not rite at the minute and the negativity of his statement aint gonna help anyone.
Report abuse
Well, the bubble didn’t stay inflated for long, did it? What’s happening Roy? I was quite encouraged by the performances in the first two games, but since then? Oh dear. Bottom line is? For us to stay in this league, we need to take maximum points from the Swansea’s and Fulham’s, these are the teams that will be in the mix from now until the end of the season, along with us and several others. Albeit I’m disappointed at the moment, I refuse to be too downbeat, because a couple of good results can kickstart our season, but the longer this goes on, the harder it gets. A big sorry to Scott Carson, it’s obvious the goalkeepers jersey is jinxed? Roll on next game.
C’mon Albion, a bit more passion please.
Report abuse
WE’RE GOING DOWN.
Report abuse
Roy can we have our football black please,i dont like hoofball,we have spent 8 million on a player from the championship who belongs in the championship,cant dive very good either.
Report abuse
Where has our ability to keep possession of the ball disappeared to? The first 45 mins here were exactly like the last 10 against Norwich, we just gave ball after ball away, worse still, whilst not even being pressured! Fulham rarely troubled us despite us continually handed them possession back, and were there for the taking if we could string two passes together.
Second half was much improved, largely to switching PO to a central role as opposed to the wide position he occupied 1st half. We started 4-5-1 first half, and went 4-4-2 second half….i’m not sure this proves anything regarding our best formation other than we can play poorly with either!
Having said that, a little disappointing result wise, but by no means a disaster – a point was a fair result from a dull game best quickly forgotten by everyone!
Report abuse
i’ve got to stop in tonight because i spent all me money on that!
i’d have gleaned more excitement from sitting in my kitchen cupboard watching my onions pickle.
first half ain’t even worth a mention, second half they went some small, very small way towards convincing me that i was watching a football match of some sort
can’t wait for monday and the usual queue of players explaining to us what went wrong
Report abuse
No 1 NY …agree and the reason we dont retain the ball is because when one of our players makes the pass he just stops thinking ‘job done’,,,watch the top teams they move forwards and backwards as a unit, play a ball and go for the return, our lot just stand and admire their own pass. Not impressed so far. Confidence has gone. Time to rest Thomas and give Tychoi another run out or bring Thorne in and push Brunty wide to give some width.
Report abuse
Roy, please keep your experiments to the training pitch, not a 6 pointer
Report abuse
I don’t want to bore anyone with a long post,so-
no easy games in the prem.,everyone wants to be and stay there,so let’s cut out the whinging.
It’s still early season,we put another point on the board,and kept a clean sheet.
End of.
Now let’s enjoy the rest of the weekend.
p.s. 3&4-tweedle dumb and tweedle dee (and other wolves fans having a go)-
just keep posting here,it’ll take your mind off the fact that wolves are in freefall,and on course to hit rock bottom.
Have a nice day.
Report abuse
Dreadful first half. Better second, but we have gone from an exciting attacking team to a dull, slow predictable one.
Has Bryan Robson come back to manage us?
Report abuse
We’re going down! Hodgson out come on guy’s way too early for this sort of talk, I was as much disapointed as any one else there today BUT I do think we will come good.
I have faith in Hodgy to put thing’s right.
Come on you Baggies!!
Boing! Boing!
Report abuse
Well I am going to be positive. The initial line up looked promising, but the front three were confused. The back seven looked a lot better, and luckilly for Foster he got away with his only error (the disallowed goal). Brunt, Dorrans and Mulumbu is the way to go if Long and Odemwingie are to be used together. Brunt looked better, and Dorrans is getting back to form (which we need to be patient with due to his long absense). The beginning of the second half started well! We need to be patient with Long, Odenwingie and JT, it will probably work in the end. It would be nice to get back to 4-5-1 away, and stick with 4-3-3 at home. The passing will improve the more game time Brunt, Dorrans and Mulumbu have together. I think those three are the key to our season as long as we have Roy in charge. We are not Barcelona, but we can, and will play better. I can only ever see 4-4-2 working if Dorrans lives up to his potential, but that is too much, too soon for the lad. At least Roy is coming around, which I did not think he would. Clean sheet, and a point is an improvement (fact)!!!!
Au Revoir
Report abuse
So disappointed, i know there are already people calling for roys head but can you imagine losing next week to Sunderland and then to the DIngles. I bet you will all be saying enough is enough Roy out. Hopefully it won’t get to that but what I saw today sitting in the east stand was the worst game I can remember since the Stoke game. Rubbish.
Report abuse
I’ll start with the positive points.
McAuley had a fine game, tackling and timing were excellent. Jonas was good and I’m pleased he was fit. The defence, overall was good. Now on to the bad points:
Boring, boring, boring! First half just like the Swansea match, second half, er, just like the Swansea match. We couldn’t pass water most of the time. What didn’t need fixing has been ‘fixed’.
Report abuse
To the West Brazil fan who tried to cause trouble after the Stoke game.
Am I really enjoying watching my team? YES
Are you enjoying yours struggling week after week?
I hope you stay up as the majority of fans in the Vine are great as is the pub , but all clubs have fans that are idiots.
As you said you wouldnt pay £100 a year to watch us. Have you changed you mind now?
Report abuse
Its Second season syndrome and Odemwingie’s vastly inflated pay deal has divided the squad.
Long has been found out as a chumpionship player and roys buys have been appalling
we need 9 points out of the next 3 games or we will be cut adrift
c’mon roy stop hoofing it and sort it out or go
the atmosphere yesterday was terrible too
Report abuse
WE WERE POOR TODAY,WE LOOKED LIKE A CHAMPIONCHIP SIDE,NO PATTERN IN OUR PLAY,LONG,ODEMWINGIE,THOMAS,DORRANS,VERY POOR,IT GOING TO BE LONG HARD SEASON,I THINK WE SHOULD GO BACK TO 451,SHIFNAL BAGGIE
Report abuse
It’s not quite time to panic yet, but that time is getting closer!
It’s difficult to say whether it’s the system or the fact that too many players are out of form. Regardless, it’s not working and I think we should start with the system. 4-5-1 against Sunderland, with an admittedly out of form Odemwingie upfront on his own (as bad as he was yesterday, he was 20 times better than Long).
Report abuse
“Albion were truly awful, worst team in decades, all the players are non league standard, Roy should go, bring back *insert manager name here*, the fans were very poor fickle and quiet, the stadium is dreadful…”
That’s what I imagine would be posted if I were one of the moronic life wasting dingles posting using a name never seen before.
Oh look at some of the posts already, looks like I don’t have to use my imagination so very much.
Report abuse
6 Games in and already negative thoughts are here. Be honest with yourself and remember who we (West Bromwich Albion) are. It takes time to become established in the best league in the world and especially on a tight budget.
Roy is working with the tools he has and it looks like he’s almost cracked the most problematic issue (DEFENCE) Ok we didn’t score and it was a poor game but these are platforms on which confidence can be built, you know from defence not conceding goals to a midfield who can make opportunities.
IMO 4-5-1 is where we should be but I’m sure Roy is working on these problems as we speak.
Keep the faith!
Report abuse
Did anyone else notice that the female linesman ran faster than Jt.
Report abuse
Unhappie Baggie
What rock did you crawl out from under?
No one needs to go, it’s the same team who gave Man U and Chelsea a run for their money so we should just back off and let the master do his job. Look what he did with Fulham! They were being relegated when he took charge, we now have a full season!
Report abuse
Are these posts for real???
Poor from both sides in the first half but in the second half we completely outplayed an ESTABLISHED premier league team in every department. Thought the foul on Long was a pen and Brunt was really unlucky when he hit the post. A bit of luck and we would have had a good win.
Report abuse
Not sure what to think about that game. I only saw the 50 mins or do they show on football first but I think it’s clear 4-3-3 didn’t work either. Our ball retention was poor and our midfield seemed over run. However 2nd half was much improved. Need to play like that over 90 mins though. Thought the defence looked better. MacAuley looked quite assured. Think Roy needs to work out of best formation and team very soon and stick with it. Even if it means dropping long or Peter!!! Come on u baggies
Report abuse
a point is better than nowt, however is it just me or PO look to be lazy and to casual,he could have got back from the off side position, he s certainly changed, and why is the battering ram tchoi on the bench and not on the right where po is playing, he certainly is more threatening than po on the wing, po should be up front, come on albion these are home games we should be winning, but a clean sheet is a good thing.
Report abuse
29 B90 Baggie-
You’ve hit the nail on the head.
I think some guys need to step back and look at the whole picture.
This time a couple of seasons back,we were in the championship.
Last season,with a dozen games remaining,we were one place above relegation,and this weekend,before the game,we were bottom of the league.
On the other hand,as you say,Fulham ARE an established prem. club,with a degree of quality and experience in their squad (many here are happy to have Zoltan Gera back,but he couldn’t get a regular place in the Fulham team),and yet some guys believe this should have been an ‘easy’ game for us to win.
Apart from all else,the Albion players must be low in confidence after a poor start to the season,so as I said earlier,not losing the game,and keeping a clean sheet is at least a positive step forward.
I had a grumble at the Swansea game,because we made very basic,naive mistakes,and looked to be lacking in effort,but at least we’re now trying to give it a go,and had Brunt’s shot deflected the right way off the woodwork at the end,we’d now be happily celebrating a victory.
It’s still very early days.
We must be patient,and allow more time for things to settle down before pushing any panic button.
Report abuse
If we’re going to play 451, it’s got to be EITHER Long OR Odemwingie – NOT BOTH!
Report abuse
Im just glad Duff, Johnson and Zamora dident play else we might have been looking at a diffrent scoreline,plus poing Gmac,dont think Tamas will get back in.
20 Cyril careful mate they will be calling you a dingle.
15 you cant write a long post because after that performance theres nothing to write about.
Report abuse
Firstly, like most on here the performance was disapappointing especially the first half when a number of the team seemed not to have a clue where they were supposed to be. Second half was an improvement, the tempo increased and ball retention was better. But are some of you for real? We’re going down and Hodgson out??? This is just like the ‘Mad Mick Out’ campaign over on the dark side. The guy saved us from going down last season and thins are not going as we would have liked but where do some of you think that we are going to finish in this league? Chasing Eurore? Get real. The worry is that we are not creating but we are looking much better at the back. I thought Ollsen, McAuley, Brunt and Mulumbu played okay, the others were below par. I do not feel that turning on the team and the manager is not the way forward. Given time, I believe it will come good.
Come on you baggies.
Report abuse
mike london throstle:
Living down here this was me and my son’s first game at the Shrine this season. Agree with most comments. The first half was the worst performance I’ve seen in recent years, no movement, speed, confusion all round. From high up in Smethwick end of East Stand we could see the problem clearly – everyone bunching in the middle which suited Fulham’s midfield. No width, we were begging the boys to get the ball forward quicker and wider. Thomas looked lost, PO, Brunt, Long were forced to chase back for the ball.
Now for the plus side: at least Hodgson admits he got it wrong in the first half. Second half was a different story: more mobile, tougher tackling (thank god for Yussuf) more width. We were more mobile and in their half.
Agree corners should come back further out, particularly with a keeper like Schwartzer. As for Long + PO, I’m not convinced. Long has quality, but 442 takes away our strength – our ability to counter attack fast in the way we saw last season. This system makes us more predictable. Last season we drew the opposition forward and opened up space behind them. OK we shipped too many goals, but now we seem to be getting our act together defensively – Macauley was superb alongside Olsson – good positional sense, tackling and ball control. I also felt more confident with Foster than Carson. But Hodgson has to sort out the system fast – he says it takes time to bed players in, but not if it leaves us stuck down amongst the dead men. The confidence he restored last season will drain away and heads will drop. Boing Boing
Report abuse
32 yes your right what you say,a couple of seasons ago we where in the championship and the way things are going we will soon be back there because im afraid Roy is taking us backwards,and Jp wont invest in the club FACT!
Report abuse
We have had a poor start yes but the to the vast majority of above i suggest you stop at home or the pub because the Albion do not need support like yours , indeed you may be much happier attending games at the Molineux where your ridiculous childish comments will fit in much better.
Cantello and Steve Poole Baggie take bows for sensible balanced views.
Clacka you must be a bundle of joy to attend games with , i do not know where you come from but please stay their and keep your thoughts to yourself.
The so called supporter who wants Roy sacked i can only say you must be pleased Mommy as left your knappies off but you have a lot to learn about Football sonny.
Report abuse
Clacka has just given the game away, he is a dingle FACT!
Boing Boing!!
Report abuse
4 Points from Swansea + Norwich away and Fulham at home isn’t a disaster. The first 3 games of our season we should forget about as i can’t remember beating any of them for about 10 years. Our performance 2nd half was decent. But we looked comfortable the entire game defensively apart from maybe 2 long range shots that foster spilled. If we keep 9 or 10 more clean sheets we’ll have plenty of points come the end of the season. I don’t know why there is so much negativity. We are an evolving side get the basics right be solid then the flair will come after.
Report abuse
Lets start with a few classics -
Good players do not turn into bad players overnight.
Systems do not win football matches players do.
No we are not playing well at the moment.
This season was never going to be easy following a freak season finishing where we did last year.
However we have a manager who has a tremenous track record. It is going to be a diificult season, the second one always is. Remember the great escape (under Robson), well the second season then was a bitch. How quickly the fans turned. Last season under Di Matteo we started off like a whirlwind teams found us out and we could not buy a win until Roy came in (sound familar).
We need to get back to basics, we need to grind some results out and sometimes it will not be pretty. When we establish ourselves as a Premier team we will attract better players, and with better players better performances, and more entertainment.
We have stopped shipping goals which is a real positive because we cant keep coming back from 1-0 down. Does we need to build from the back sound familar? Well that is the way it is. We know we can score goals and we have players who can, but like them you will have to be patient. The atmosphere on Saturday was not one I am familar with at the Hawthorns. All I can say is shame on you Baggies fans, it was like a morgue. The crowd last season lifted the atmosphere,lifted the team, and lifted the position in the league. Saturday was as flat as the team. So get behind the team , the manager, and do what Baggies fans do best Boing Boing!!!
“To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.”
William Shakespeare
Report abuse
Jonathon 25 – like ya style
Stokie 21 – No !!!
Report abuse
After reading some of the comments on here, i felt the need to write again. For those supporters calling for Roy`s head after only 6 games, i am truly disappointed. You must be from the darkside, the same supporters calling for Mick McCarthey`s head week in week out. This proves how fickle some supporters truly are, as his efforts of last season have trult been forgotten. Who else could have achieved the same miracullous result last season. A nd should Mr Peace lose the plot and listen to these idiots and give Roy the boot, what next? who is out there that could possibly replace him. After finishing 12th last season do any of you really believe we will get a better coach in than Roy. Mr Hodgson is the best coach we have had at the club in years and we have been very fortunate to get him. What is required of us supporters is to get behind a team which is lacking in confidence and show them our support. The atmosphere, so i have read, was lacking at the ground today. I know the players have to play their part in giving supporters something to cheer about, but when cnfidence is low this is our chance to make a difference. Lets get behind the boys not criticise on here!!!
Report abuse
Although Graham Dorrans is still trying to regain full fitness and sharpness he is still a shadow of his former self RH has stated that he does not expect Graham to return to his best in October/November but can we afford to wait that long.It was also another poor performance from Jerome Thomas another who looks anything but fit. Those on here who criticize PO would do well to remember that only he and Chris Brunt offered any goal threat on Saturday. Shane Long after his bright start is now finding life in the Premiership difficult as was probably expected. It must be hard for those players like Simon Cox and Somen Tchoyi who have performed well when they have been called upon to accept that the manager continues to play those out of form or not fully fit.
Report abuse
We all need to take a reality check , before the game we had a tribute to the lad who tragically lost his life at 14 , what the Albion result is pales into insignificance.
Report abuse
41
tremendous track record lol,ask any of his old clubs 20 of them to be precise if they would have him back
Report abuse
46 how can u come on here and criticise us and our manager when ur lot have been calling for McCarthey’s head for years. Just how many places above u in the table did Hodgson guide us last year. And he will do it again!
Report abuse
46 willenhall-
RH worked wonders at Fulham,won ‘Prem. manager of the year’ not long ago,and brought success to clubs and nations throughout Europe.
A wolves fan coming over here with no idea what he’s talking about.
What a surprise.
Idiot.
Report abuse
Willenhall
There’s only Fergie in the Prem who’s won more major trophies than Hodgson, what a truly laughable comment that only serves to highlight your lack of footballing knowledge.
Report abuse
The truly negative posts are obviously from ‘Spies’, the lowest form of Dingle life.
However, a Forum is for expression and viewpoint from the supporter who has spent his money to watch. If I had to watch that 1st half too often I would query the cost and also my own sanity for spending it. It is NOT unfair to criticise a poor performance. I might add that I personally didn’t criticise a player, but the team as a whole. Add to that the positives about McAuley and the defence and I consider that CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. So no, I won’t apologise for my comments at No.20. Totally valid still.
Report abuse
Watched the game live here in the states. Why oh why change a system that served us well the last dozen games last season.
Scharner was missed badly he organises may not be playing well but his experienced was badly needed.
The only thing wrong was that we lacked a right back and a partner for Olsen last season and a vocal goalkeeper.
So why oh why change the system
Report abuse
I’m with Excile Baggie, for the life of me I can’t understand why we’ve tried to change the system. All we needed was to improve on the playing staff from last season.
I really hope that the 442 clicks but at present I just don’t think it will and the best area of our team – midfield – is being bypassed.
We need minimum 6 points from the next 3 or we’ll be in trouble.
Report abuse
Well , as almost everyone has stated…if it aint broke, dont try and fix it !! Roy ‘ The Tinkerman’ Hodgson foolishy thought 4-3-3 might be more productive than 4-4-2. Well it was’nt and what do you expect with a passenger like Thomas starting for us. Roy…wake up… for whatever reason JT is hopelessly off the pace and should excluded. He was non existant at Swansea and followed that up with a similar display(?) on Saturday. We can’t afford to carry passengers. Plus point was McAuley played really well..very steady and sure to partner Jonas. Odenwinge is suffering from fat contract syndrome, where once signed, all form and endeavour disappear. For Roy the clock is ticking, we are playing poorly and its unattractive to watch..so if he wants my recipe for my ’4-5-1 Humble Pie’ he only has to ask. I thank you…
Report abuse
53TinaB. Thomas hasn’t suddenly become a bad player. He was responsible to some extent for us playing well, scoring goals and finishing high up the table. He, like several others, just cannot produce with the system we are (not?) using. It was our ball on Saturday and Fulham were very unfair 1st half as they wouldn’t let us have a kick. If it had been my ball,I’d have taken it home to Mom. What was the percentage possession 1st half ?
70 -30 to Fulham ? That wasn’t Thomas’s fault, it was a team who played like strangers once again.
Report abuse
Can everyone slating Odemwingie please remember that he missed half of pre-season and the first 3 games due to injury! He’s not yet match fit so lay off will ya!
Report abuse