Hull v West Brom: One win will get Albion firing again
Conor Townsend is convinced just one win is all it will take to get Albion’s season back on track.
Tomorrow, the Baggies head to Hull, the 25-year-old’s boyhood club, aiming to claim that victory and put the memories of a frustrating eight days behind them.
That was all it took to leave a campaign which appeared to be clicking nicely into gear, following a haul of 13 points from 15, suddenly needing something of a jump-start.
Two defeats, one of them admittedly chastening in nature, and a draw confirmed Darren Moore’s team are not yet the finished article.
In reality, of course, Albion remain well placed, just four points off the top. Yet while the Championship season is long enough to allow contenders a few mishaps along the way, ensuring blips do not extend into slumps is key.
“There is no time to get down about things,” said Townsend. “Within the camp, the goal hasn’t changed. We are still doing the same things and targeting the same things.
“Performances, we’ll all agree, haven’t been up to standard.”
Albion’s three-game winless run has been notable chiefly for two things, the drying up of goals after a period when their forward could seemingly do no wrong and the failure to shore up a defence which has been leaky all term.
The Baggies are still to keep a clean sheet while their record of 23 goals conceded in just 15 games is comfortably the poorest of any team in the top half.
Kyle Bartley’s suspension, after picking up his fifth booking of the season in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn, means a change at the back is inevitable.
The fitness of Ahmed Hegazi, who has missed the last two games with a groin problem, will determine just how sweeping those are and whether a switch away from the 3-4-1-2 formation used for much of the campaign to date is required.
Kieran Gibbs’s continued struggles with a hip injury mean Townsend is likely to keep his place and record back-to-back league starts for the first time since his summer move from Scunthorpe. It’s good we’ve got people wanting to keep their place, wanting to get into the team,” he said.
“There’s a lot of people with points to prove, like a man on a mission, and that’s probably the best thing for the squad.”
One thing guaranteed not to change is Moore’s continued message of positivity.
“I’ll continue doing what I feel is best for the football club and keep working. That’s it,” said the boss.
“It’s a relentless league, there are physical and mental demands, that throws up these results. That’s what makes it such an exciting one. There’s always things to write about and discuss.
“I’ll be consistent with my message, this league’s relentless, demanding, and there’s a lot of bumps in the road.
“What you try and do is find a consistency that takes you to a certain place.”
Likely line-up:
Subs: Mears, Brunt, Robson-Kanu, Sako, Field, Hoolahan, Myhill.
Hull (4-5-1): Marshall, Lichaj, Elphick, McKenzie, Kingsley, Bowen, Batty,
Irvine, Henriksen, Grosicki, Campbell.
The opposition: Tigers boss Nigel Adkins in teeth of constant crisis
For all that three games without a win might have put some added scrutiny on Darren Moore, there can be no doubt Hull boss Nigel Adkins would gladly trade places with his Albion counterpart.
Last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Hull snapped a seven-game winless run for the Tigers and at least eased a little pressure on Adkins, who has found rousing a club relegated from the Premier League less than 18 months ago far from easy.
In truth, the former Southampton boss inherited a long-running set of problems when he replaced Leonid Slutsky last December, not least the ongoing friction between owners Assem and Ehab Allam and a large section of the club’s fanbase.
With a takeover seemingly imminent, Adkins was forced to work on a severely restricted budget during the summer and the Tigers presence just one spot off the foot of the table is of no huge surprise.
The manager, however, has remained positive and hopes the win over Bolton can spark a revival.
“We know where we are in the table but the players are working hard and there’s a great camaraderie among the team,” he said.
“The three points at Bolton has really put a spring in the step of the lads.
“Making sure that you get three points is what it’s about. It’s an away victory. I keep saying you find out more about yourself and the people you’re surrounded with in times like this. It’s been a good place to come to work anyway. There’s a supportive culture here. I know the players are working hard.”
Though Albion might have suffered a sudden loss of form, Adkins acknowledges his team will be firm underdogs.
He said: “The players believe something will happen in a positive way. They’re grafting. West Brom have a squad full of Premier League players. They are a strong outfit. When a team does come down they have to get them back straight away. The onus is on them.
“I know Darren Moore well. There’s good knowledge there and sometimes you need the opportunity to go and manage. Darren has been put in that situation and he’s done well. He has galvanised the club and they nearly stayed up. He’s been given a longer period and I wish him well.”
Hull have defensive duo Reece Burke and Jordy de Wijs back available after both missed the win at Bolton through injury.
Villa’s Tommy Elphick has been a regular at the back since joining on loan in August.
“Reece has trained today,” said Adkins. “He’s returned to training and that’s positive news for the weekend.
“Jordy trained today as well so all being well and there’s no reaction overnight and they’ve come through today’s session alright, then they’ll be available for the weekend.”
Pie and a pint:
The Brickmakers pub opposite the Stadium car park entrance allows in away supporter and has Sky TV to watch the early kick-off. Pies in the ground cost £3.20.
Memory lane:
Albion won 3-1 at the KC back in 2008 in the Championship. The Baggies’ goals came from Kevin Phillips, James Morrison and Roman Bednar.
Key man:
James Morrison returned to the starting line-up last weekend and impressed. Brings much-needed experience and guile to the Baggies.
Danger man:
Jarrod Bowen
Bowen can play centrally or on the right and has been the Tigers’ main threat this season, scoring four goals and providing one assist.
The 21-year-old was picked up from Hereford and has already proved a bargain playing 64 times since his switch four years ago.
