Everton v West Brom preview - Behind the tributes, the Baggies prepare
It’s been a week that has magnified the trivial nature of results.
For Albion fans, minds have been elsewhere over the past few days, the focus has not been on the fight for survival.
Those at the club who knew Cyrille Regis well, such as first-team coach Darren Moore, have had to continue their preparations for this game while dealing with their own grief.
Baggies boss Alan Pardew played against Regis in non-league football and knew the legendary No.9 well.
With a minute’s applause planned for before kick-off, and a set of away fans unfurling a banner in honour of Regis, it’s set to be an emotional afternoon.
But in the background to the tributes, the team has been trying to build on the positives of back-to-back 2-0 victories.
“The mood now is very different than when we went to Exeter when we hadn’t won a game,” said Pardew. “That Cup game might turn out to be very important to us.
“We got a victory and did it with some comfort. That was probably the reason we saw the game out against Brighton so comfortably.
“I would not have expected that after not winning for so long.
“Our game management in the last 15 minutes was exceedingly good – a bit like a team that had been on a winning run.
“We scored from two set plays, but our attacking play was good. It’s still an area we need to improve on, but the team is functioning much better.
“The opposition are beginning to see us as more of a threat. We’ll take that to Everton. So the feeling is good.”
Pardew is expected to name the same starting line-up that snatched a quick lead against Brighton and drove the advantage home.
The only doubts are defenders Ahmed Hegazi and Craig Dawson, who will both be assessed after getting concussed by a nasty clash of heads towards the end of the match.
“Both of those we’ve had to monitor and go through all the procedures that have to happen in a head injury,” said Pardew. “We’re pretty confident they’ll be okay but we’ll find out tomorrow.”
Everton started the transfer window, like Albion, in need of a striker.
But while Sam Allardyce has spent £47m on attackers already, Pardew is still left hamstrung by his wage bill, waiting for someone to pick up the phone and bid for Jonny Evans.
After last weekend’s victory over Brighton though, there is hope of staying up.
“I still think our home games will determine whether this club will remain a Premier League club,” said Pardew. “Away games – if someone said would you take a point at Everton? I would because it’s a tough game.
“They’re in a tricky period right now but I know Sam well enough to know they would have worked hard this week.
“He’s gone again in the transfer market. But we go there in a good place.”
Key Man:
Gareth Barry - Barry was superb against his former club last month, and if he runs the game like that on his return to Goodison Park, Albion have a great chance.
Dangerman:
Wayne Rooney - He was supposed to be a busted flush winding down his career, but Rooney has 10 goals in 19 Premier League games so far this season.
New boys Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott will be desperate to impress, but the former England captain has shown he still has an eye for goal, and is likely to be the most dangerous.
Likely line ups:
Albion (4-4-2): Foster; Dawson, Evans, Hegazi, Gibbs; Phillips, Krychowiak, Barry, Brunt; Rodriguez, Rondon.
Substitutes: Myhill, McAuley, Nyom, Yacob, Livermore, McClean, Robson-Kanu.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Kenny, Williams, Holgate, Martina; Schneiderlin, Gueye; Bolasie, Rooney, Sigurdsson, Tosun.
Substitutes: Robles, Jagielka, McCarthy, Lennon, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse
