West Brom's Home Form

We wont need an Ashley fletcher screamer.
This West Brom team go long when they start to struggle. They still have Livermore - whose getting on a bit. They have Mark albrighton from Leicester - who`s 34. They have Jed Wallace - the former stalwart of Millwall. They have a young Irish lad who came on as sub the other night. Hes nifty, but easily snuffed out. They are a hustle and bustle Championship side, but they have "fight" because they are a relatively "recent" team - formed mostly since Bruce got the sack. Adam Reach is still in the squad: hard to believe he is now 30!
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First off I think we’ll win but even if we don’t I hope we keep a sense of rationality as we are having a great run and it will end sometime ( they always do) but even if it does the bigger picture is still the key.

The simple Fact is we won’t win all our remaining games but then neither will sheff u.
 
Some key pointers of what to expect and where the main threats will come from on Saturday>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Report from Birmingham Mail of West Brom 2-3 Defeat to Watford:

West Brom player ratings vs Watford as Wallace dazzles but defence crumbles​

West Brom report and player ratings from Vicarage Road as Slaven Bilic's Watford get the better of Albion 3-2 on a dramatic evening

Jed Wallace celebrates scoring West Brom's second goal against Watford

Jed Wallace celebrates scoring West Brom's second goal against Watford (Image: PA)

West Brom's current sticky run of form in the Championship continued in a frantic evening at Watford in which they lost by the odd goal in five. Having fallen behind to Ken Sema's opener, Albion replied in the second half through Conor Townsend equalised. Ismaila Sarr fired the Hornets back in front, before Jed Wallace netted a second leveller on a night when neither defence covered themselves in glory. Sema's deflected strike, his second of the night, settled the score in the final 15 minutes to leave Albion with a clear gap to the play-offs.

With the game evenly poised, Albion were the masters of their own downfall a quarter of the way into the game. Townsend was firstly caught out of position and then culpable of giving up possession in his own defensive third. The ball came across from the right, Keinan Davis rolled Dara O'Shea, Darnell Furlong blocked the shot which meant Josh Griffiths only palmed the loose ball straight to Sema, who rifled it into the roof of the net.

With not much in it up to that stage, and Albion looking comfortable in their shape out of possession, it was a rather calamitous goal to concede under no significant pressure - particularly for a side who have scored just once in their last three away matches in all competitions.

That goal, after it had been previously very even, shook Albion. They were guilty of overplaying at the back - casual passes from Nathaniel Chalobah and then O'Shea in the same sequence left Watford in a two-v-one situation - thankfully Griffiths made himself big and kept out Davis. Albion had opportunities at the other end through John Swift, who curled over, and Brandon Thomas-Asante, who headed wide, but the first half was an ominous continuation of the Baggies' recent form.

The second, though, was night and day from the opening 45. Corberan summoned Grady Diangana and Jayson Molumby, regulars in his side in the months prior to the January window, and he repositioned Swift and Wallace. Immediately, Albion - now with roung pegs in round holes - looked more comfortable and began to create a glut of chances.

Swift and Thomas-Asante, like in the first half, had good openings but the excellent Daniel Bachmann was equal to both - he couldn't stop Townsend, though, who hooked the ball home when Yokuslu nodded down Swift's corner. The frantic match was far from decided, though.


The poor defending was contagious, it seemed. Ismael Kone didn't catch his shot properly on the edge of the Albion box but the ball deflected off Molumby and into the path of Sarr. Moments after he'd struck the post, he couldn't miss here.

Back Albion came, undeterred. They fostered the momentum they'd had prior to falling behind again, and got their rewards when Watford themselves were guilty of playing out from the back and conceding the ball. Molumby stylishly flicked it into the path of Wallace who was on hand to send Bachmann the wrong way.


The goalmouth action wasn't done for the evening. Vicarage Road drew a collective breath as they prepared themselves for the final 15 minutes - if they were anything like the first half hour of the second half, it'd be panic stations and more kamikaze defending. Then Sema struck again - this time, he cut inside and shot hopefully, but the ball ended up beyond Griffiths with a great slice of luck in the form of a deflection off of Erik Pieters.

Just like that, with the pendulum in full swing, Albion found themselves behind for a third time, totally out of nothing. This is another defeat on the road, and another harmful evening for Albion's play-off chances, but unlike at Blues they've learned a few lessons this evening.

West Bromwich Albion player ratings​


Griffiths 7

Could he have done better with the opening goal? It happened very quickly and the deflection off Furlong didn't help his cause. Made a big save to deny Davis and keep it to one at the break. Kept out Davis in the second half - can count himself unlucky to have conceded three.

Furlong 5

Culpable of losing the ball high in the first half. In trying to block Davis' shot he inadvertently made it difficult for Griffiths to deal with the loose ball. Improved in the second period.

O'Shea 5

Rolled by Davis in the build up to the opening goal. Guilty of overplaying when his pass for Pieters was cut out and Griffiths came to the rescue.

Pieters 5

Booked for a foul in the second half. This wasn't a night when any defenders covered themselves in glory necessarily, but there really was little he could do about Sema's second goal which left Griffiths rooted having deflected off the Dutchman.

Townsend 6

Gave the ball up too hurriedly in the build up to Watford's opener, having tried and failed to win the ball higher. Struggled to contain Sarr but he redeemed himself with a superb finish - his second of the season.

Yokuslu 5

Struggled in the first half. He wasn't alone, but he was dominated by Watford midfield. Looked more at it when partnered with his regular colleague Molumby. Won a big header which Townsend turned home, but stood off Sema who won it.

Chalobah 4

Susceptible of giving away cheap free kicks, particularly one which led to Watford probing Albion early on from around 30 yards out. Some nice half turns but casual on the ball and didn't move the ball quickly enough when Albion ought to have countered. Hooked at the break.

Wallace 8*

Like Swift, Wallace - who is never lacking in effort anyway - was more like himself out wide on the right against the inexperienced Morris in the second period. Tried to impact the game in the first but ran Watford ragged and deserved to get on the score-sheet.

Albrighton 4

It was an evening of struggle for Albrighton, who couldn't make an impact in his first half out on the right. Was withdrawn at half time.

Swift 6

Playing on the left is not his game. Should've done better when he connected with Wallace's cross in the first half, but he was much more up for it in the second when repositioned and connected with a second Wallace ball superbly to force a good save. Dead ball deliveries were testing. Much better in the ten.

Thomas-Asante 6

One of his final contributions was to leave Porteous, at least initially, for dead on the touch-line having forced his way past him, winning a ball he had no right to. Good shift, which brought two chances - a header in the first and a strike in the second tipped behind by Bachmann.

Substitutes​


Diangana (for Albrighton 45) 5

Diangana showed only glimpses but some of his passes and decision making was a little wayward.

Molumby (for Chalobah 45) 6

Like with last Wednesday, it was a story at either end for Molumby, who deflected the ball into the path of Sarr for Watford's second, before he created Albion's second with a lovely flick. Brought the energy Albion had been missing.

Dike (for Thomas-Asante 62) 5

Worked hard when replacing Thomas-Asante but Albion struggled to supply him with a glut of chances - in the air or on the floor.

Grant (for Swift 80)

Substitutes not used: Button, Ajayi, Reach

Watford starting XI: Bachmann; Mario, Porteous, Hoedt, Kamara; Choudhury, Sema (Louza 84), Kone (Bacuna 81) Sarr, Pedro, Davis (Assombalonga 90)

Substitutes not used: Hamer, Kabasele, Araujo, Martins

GOALS

Watford - Sema 23, 78, Sarr 66; Albion - Townsend 56, Wallace 71

The ref: Tim Robinson

Up next: Middlesbrough (H) - Saturday 25 February, 3pm kick off

www.birminghammail.co.uk

West Brom player ratings vs Watford as Wallace dazzles but defence crumbles

West Brom report and player ratings from Vicarage Road as Slaven Bilic's Watford get the better of Albion 3-2 on a dramatic evening
www.birminghammail.co.uk www.birminghammail.co.uk
 
r00fie1 said:
Some key pointers of what to expect and where the main threats will come from on Saturday>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Report from Birmingham Mail of West Brom 2-3 Defeat to Watford:

West Brom player ratings vs Watford as Wallace dazzles but defence crumbles​

West Brom report and player ratings from Vicarage Road as Slaven Bilic's Watford get the better of Albion 3-2 on a dramatic evening

Jed Wallace celebrates scoring West Brom's second goal against Watford's second goal against Watford

Jed Wallace celebrates scoring West Brom's second goal against Watford (Image: PA)

West Brom's current sticky run of form in the Championship continued in a frantic evening at Watford in which they lost by the odd goal in five. Having fallen behind to Ken Sema's opener, Albion replied in the second half through Conor Townsend equalised. Ismaila Sarr fired the Hornets back in front, before Jed Wallace netted a second leveller on a night when neither defence covered themselves in glory. Sema's deflected strike, his second of the night, settled the score in the final 15 minutes to leave Albion with a clear gap to the play-offs.

With the game evenly poised, Albion were the masters of their own downfall a quarter of the way into the game. Townsend was firstly caught out of position and then culpable of giving up possession in his own defensive third. The ball came across from the right, Keinan Davis rolled Dara O'Shea, Darnell Furlong blocked the shot which meant Josh Griffiths only palmed the loose ball straight to Sema, who rifled it into the roof of the net.

With not much in it up to that stage, and Albion looking comfortable in their shape out of possession, it was a rather calamitous goal to concede under no significant pressure - particularly for a side who have scored just once in their last three away matches in all competitions.

That goal, after it had been previously very even, shook Albion. They were guilty of overplaying at the back - casual passes from Nathaniel Chalobah and then O'Shea in the same sequence left Watford in a two-v-one situation - thankfully Griffiths made himself big and kept out Davis. Albion had opportunities at the other end through John Swift, who curled over, and Brandon Thomas-Asante, who headed wide, but the first half was an ominous continuation of the Baggies' recent form.

The second, though, was night and day from the opening 45. Corberan summoned Grady Diangana and Jayson Molumby, regulars in his side in the months prior to the January window, and he repositioned Swift and Wallace. Immediately, Albion - now with roung pegs in round holes - looked more comfortable and began to create a glut of chances.

Swift and Thomas-Asante, like in the first half, had good openings but the excellent Daniel Bachmann was equal to both - he couldn't stop Townsend, though, who hooked the ball home when Yokuslu nodded down Swift's corner. The frantic match was far from decided, though.


The poor defending was contagious, it seemed. Ismael Kone didn't catch his shot properly on the edge of the Albion box but the ball deflected off Molumby and into the path of Sarr. Moments after he'd struck the post, he couldn't miss here.

Back Albion came, undeterred. They fostered the momentum they'd had prior to falling behind again, and got their rewards when Watford themselves were guilty of playing out from the back and conceding the ball. Molumby stylishly flicked it into the path of Wallace who was on hand to send Bachmann the wrong way.


The goalmouth action wasn't done for the evening. Vicarage Road drew a collective breath as they prepared themselves for the final 15 minutes - if they were anything like the first half hour of the second half, it'd be panic stations and more kamikaze defending. Then Sema struck again - this time, he cut inside and shot hopefully, but the ball ended up beyond Griffiths with a great slice of luck in the form of a deflection off of Erik Pieters.

Just like that, with the pendulum in full swing, Albion found themselves behind for a third time, totally out of nothing. This is another defeat on the road, and another harmful evening for Albion's play-off chances, but unlike at Blues they've learned a few lessons this evening.

West Bromwich Albion player ratings​


Griffiths 7

Could he have done better with the opening goal? It happened very quickly and the deflection off Furlong didn't help his cause. Made a big save to deny Davis and keep it to one at the break. Kept out Davis in the second half - can count himself unlucky to have conceded three.

Furlong 5

Culpable of losing the ball high in the first half. In trying to block Davis' shot he inadvertently made it difficult for Griffiths to deal with the loose ball. Improved in the second period.

O'Shea 5

Rolled by Davis in the build up to the opening goal. Guilty of overplaying when his pass for Pieters was cut out and Griffiths came to the rescue.

Pieters 5

Booked for a foul in the second half. This wasn't a night when any defenders covered themselves in glory necessarily, but there really was little he could do about Sema's second goal which left Griffiths rooted having deflected off the Dutchman.

Townsend 6

Gave the ball up too hurriedly in the build up to Watford's opener, having tried and failed to win the ball higher. Struggled to contain Sarr but he redeemed himself with a superb finish - his second of the season.

Yokuslu 5

Struggled in the first half. He wasn't alone, but he was dominated by Watford midfield. Looked more at it when partnered with his regular colleague Molumby. Won a big header which Townsend turned home, but stood off Sema who won it.

Chalobah 4

Susceptible of giving away cheap free kicks, particularly one which led to Watford probing Albion early on from around 30 yards out. Some nice half turns but casual on the ball and didn't move the ball quickly enough when Albion ought to have countered. Hooked at the break.

Wallace 8*

Like Swift, Wallace - who is never lacking in effort anyway - was more like himself out wide on the right against the inexperienced Morris in the second period. Tried to impact the game in the first but ran Watford ragged and deserved to get on the score-sheet.

Albrighton 4

It was an evening of struggle for Albrighton, who couldn't make an impact in his first half out on the right. Was withdrawn at half time.

Swift 6

Playing on the left is not his game. Should've done better when he connected with Wallace's cross in the first half, but he was much more up for it in the second when repositioned and connected with a second Wallace ball superbly to force a good save. Dead ball deliveries were testing. Much better in the ten.

Thomas-Asante 6

One of his final contributions was to leave Porteous, at least initially, for dead on the touch-line having forced his way past him, winning a ball he had no right to. Good shift, which brought two chances - a header in the first and a strike in the second tipped behind by Bachmann.

Substitutes​


Diangana (for Albrighton 45) 5

Diangana showed only glimpses but some of his passes and decision making was a little wayward.

Molumby (for Chalobah 45) 6

Like with last Wednesday, it was a story at either end for Molumby, who deflected the ball into the path of Sarr for Watford's second, before he created Albion's second with a lovely flick. Brought the energy Albion had been missing.

Dike (for Thomas-Asante 62) 5

Worked hard when replacing Thomas-Asante but Albion struggled to supply him with a glut of chances - in the air or on the floor.

Grant (for Swift 80)

Substitutes not used: Button, Ajayi, Reach

Watford starting XI: Bachmann; Mario, Porteous, Hoedt, Kamara; Choudhury, Sema (Louza 84), Kone (Bacuna 81) Sarr, Pedro, Davis (Assombalonga 90)

Substitutes not used: Hamer, Kabasele, Araujo, Martins

GOALS

Watford - Sema 23, 78, Sarr 66; Albion - Townsend 56, Wallace 71

The ref: Tim Robinson

Up next: Middlesbrough (H) - Saturday 25 February, 3pm kick off

www.birminghammail.co.uk

West Brom player ratings vs Watford as Wallace dazzles but defence crumbles

West Brom report and player ratings from Vicarage Road as Slaven Bilic's Watford get the better of Albion 3-2 on a dramatic evening
www.birminghammail.co.uk www.birminghammail.co.uk
Click to expand...


Based on that, all we need is Giles to do a job on Wallace (with someone filling in as usual when he bombs forward). Sounds like we'll score loads. 4's and 5's galore, a couple of average 6's and apart from their Keeper only Wallace at our level.
 
FT : WBA 0 Boro 6
HT : 0 - 3
Goal Scorers ; Akpom ( 8, 45+1, 52 ) Archer ( 27, 55, 86 )

Man of the match : R McGree. Set up all 6 goals.

Crowd :
Vast majority left the ground at HT feeling very p*ssed off and pig sick.
Therefore we are unable to estimate the actual attendance.
We do know however, that there were several thousand Boro supporters singing their
hearts out with " We're going up, we're going up , the Boro's going up, well after the full time whistle.
 
West Broms last 6 home games have been wins against Stoke, Rotherham, Preston, Reading, Coventry, then a draw with Blackburn - wouldnt call it a tough run of games
 
www.westbromnews.co.uk

Corberan must go back to basics and start West Brom ace out wide v Boro'

West Brom boss Carlos Corberan must go back to basics against Middlesborough on Saturday and deploy Jed Wallace in his familiar wide role.
www.westbromnews.co.uk www.westbromnews.co.uk
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They are getting edgy>>>>
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By Anthony Onifade
22nd Feb, 2023 | 9:31pm

Carlos Corberan must go back to basics and deploy Jed Wallace in familiar West Brom role v Middlesbrough​


West Brom boss Carlos Corberan must go back to basics against Middlesborough on Saturday and deploy Jed Wallace in his familiar wide role following his tactical mistake against Watford.

The Baggies suffered their second defeat in their last three games following a disappointing 3-2 loss against ex-boss Slaven Bilic and Watford at Vicarage Road on Monday.

Albion fell behind to Ken Sema’s first-half effort at Vicarage Road in what was a disappointing first half in which Corberan deployed Wallace and Swift in unfamiliar attacking roles.

Corberan’s men did show some improvement in the second half, equalising twice through Conor Townsend and Wallace and the Spaniard explained his reasoning for the strange tactical tweak.
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Speaking to Birmingham Live [22 February], he said: ​

“I think the main position of Marc Albrighton is the right side and he is a player who of course I decided he would play.
“That’s why I moved the position of Wallace. If I put Wallace on the left, I think that we would lose an option on the counter attack because he is one of the faster players – in him and Asante, we had the possibility to make counter attacks.

“After, with Swift, he wasn’t playing as a winger, but as a false playmaker in from the left. The idea was to attack with four players in the middle – Chalobah, Okay at the base, and the next line of Swift on the left and Wallace on the right, to have in Marc a right winger and to give us options to attack.

“What we tried to do didn’t work. It isn’t about the structure or the shape – there is one point in football when you need to want the ball, you need to attack and you need to find the passes that create things.”

With the Baggies’ impressive transformation and playoff charge in danger of petering out if results don’t improve, the Spaniard must return back to basics against high-flying Middlesborough at the weekend.

As Corberan admitted, his tactical decision to deploy Wallace in the number 10 role and Swift out wide simply did not work against Watford, despite Wallace impressing on the night.

However, the 28-year-old has only registered one goal and an assist since the turn of the year, with many of Corberan’s attacking players struggling to score and create consistently.

To change that, Corberan must change tact and utilise Wallace in his usual wide role once again. Five goals and six assists so far this campaign means Wallace remains West Brom’s key creative outlet but his role at no.10 hasn’t bore any fruit in recent weeks.

Why not return Swift to his usual no.10 role and make the most of Wallace’s crossing excellence out wide?

Corberan cannot afford to spring any more tactical surprises, especially with Michael Carrick’s rampant and tactically innovative Middlesborough side coming to town on Saturday. ​
 
Nano said:
There are no gimmes in the championship. Anyone can beat anyone.
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True.
I’ve been watching the baggies closely in the last 3 games and corboran has bought Albrightson from Leicester and subsequently moved Wallace (for me their best player at right midfield) to the number 10 role and he’s been terrible. It seemed to upset the whole rhythm of their team and they got beat In both games versus Birmingham and then watford. Corboran did sub Albrightson in both games and moved Wallace back to the right in place of Albrightson. In the Birmingham game it was too late and he hooked Albrightson at half time in the watford game which nearly rescued the game but not quite.
Mainly because the whole team look a bit low on confidence after 1 win in 4 games.
If corboran picks Wallace where he plays his best and the rest of the team is the right mix/balance it will be a tough game, if not, and he makes more selection errors then I really fancy us to win with ease…
 
Fattyfoggon said:
I

It's definitely possible probably our hardest game left but won't be the end of world can't win every game will just need to go on and win the next 5 like we did after Sunderland but would be very happy with a point at wba
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True enough. Based on bookies odds alone, two home wins are the favoured outcomes - understandably.
 
WBA should be in the top 3 with the squad they have. Swift and Wallace were two of the best midfielders in the Championship last season and they brought in both of them on big wages. It will be a very tough game, as said befroe poossibly our toughest game left of the league season.
 
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