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West Bromwich Albion FC / Time to take stock
« on: September 15, 2013, 01:05:16 PM »
When I looked at the fixtures before the season started, I was cheered at what looked like a competitive, but achievable first few games.
With the possible exception of Everton, I thought Southampton, Swansea, Fulham and Sunderland were all sides we were at least on a par with, if not better.
I saw no reason we could not get off to a flyer, put points in the bank before we came up against the big boys such as Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in quick succession.
My view is we needed that early cushion, and clearly we haven't got it. Even if we beat Sunderland next week, we'll still be scrapping and scraping along the bottom.
So why have we thrown away just about the best opportunity to get out of the blocks early that the computer could have given us?
Clarke's selection and formation has been inept. We jumped into the transfer window far too late to allow the side to gel in the short term and take advantage of those opening fixtures. Sorry, but Anelka is no longer fast enough to trouble even average defences.
I know it's only four games in, but we've managed one, solitary goal and generally, we've rarely looked like causing anyone any real problems.
There's no wow factor.
If we don't beat Sunderland, I predict we'll go into the Villa game in December with no more than five or six points.
And I don't see any coming back from that.
With the possible exception of Everton, I thought Southampton, Swansea, Fulham and Sunderland were all sides we were at least on a par with, if not better.
I saw no reason we could not get off to a flyer, put points in the bank before we came up against the big boys such as Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in quick succession.
My view is we needed that early cushion, and clearly we haven't got it. Even if we beat Sunderland next week, we'll still be scrapping and scraping along the bottom.
So why have we thrown away just about the best opportunity to get out of the blocks early that the computer could have given us?
Clarke's selection and formation has been inept. We jumped into the transfer window far too late to allow the side to gel in the short term and take advantage of those opening fixtures. Sorry, but Anelka is no longer fast enough to trouble even average defences.
I know it's only four games in, but we've managed one, solitary goal and generally, we've rarely looked like causing anyone any real problems.
There's no wow factor.
If we don't beat Sunderland, I predict we'll go into the Villa game in December with no more than five or six points.
And I don't see any coming back from that.