Following the second match of the season away at Everton’s Goodison Park, it now feels that the season has finally begun for West Bromwich Albion after the opening day of the season came and went in limp fashion with a late defeat at home to big-spending Southampton. Granted, the 0-0 scoreline will not win any awards or indeed make anyone sit up and take notice, but hard-fought points picked up on the road such as this one can have a galvanising effect on the players and fans alike. It is also nice to pick up a clean sheet on the travels, a feat denied Albion last season until mid-February in a 2-0 win just across Stanley Park at Anfield.
The focus now shifts to Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup tie at home to newly-promoted League 2 side Newport County. Managed by ex-Spurs defender Justin Edinburgh, the Exiles will arrive at The Hawthorns in buoyant mood thanks to a return of 7 points from their 4 matches back at the league level for the first time since their relegation in 1988, and subsequent bankruptcy in 1989.
This is a potential banana-skin of a match but the quality of the Albion squad should shine through and result in a convincing victory. Players such as new signings Scott Sinclair, Matej Vydra and Diego Lugano may all be given a run out, whilst young forward Saido Berahino should also be given his opportunity to shine. Injuries to regular number 1 Ben Foster and his deputy Boaz Myhill may also see Saturday’s sub-keeper Luke Daniels between the sticks.
In recent years, the League Cup has proved to be a winnable trophy for those clubs outside of the elite few with silverware for Birmingham City and Swansea City, coupled with trips to the final for Cardiff City and Bradford City. A cup run would be very welcome in the Black Country and this is the first step along the way, so it is imperative that the match is approached in the correct manner and the opposition are paid the highest respect before, hopefully, being despatched with a minimum of fuss.
One player who will not be involved in the match against Newport will be Nicolas Anelka following the death of close friend and advisor Eric Manasse. Understandably, this has hit Nicolas extremely hard and he has been granted leave from the club on compassionate grounds. As I’m sure you will have seen elsewhere, the topic of his retirement is something that has been mentioned, with Head Coach Steve Clarke conceding that it was something that was being considered by Nicolas. It is hoped that once he has had time away to grieve his friend that his outlook may be a little brighter and he would return to the first team fold. All we can currently do is wish Nicolas, not to mention the family of Mr Manasse, all the best and offer our sincere condolences for their loss.
This week will also see the transfer activity accelerate as we head towards the close of the transfer window on September 2nd. Many clubs still have unfinished business and we are definitely amongst that number. The midfield remains short on numbers, especially in the wide areas, with only Scott Sinclair offering true pace and width. Fan favourite Zoltan Gera is nearing a return to full fitness, but at 34, there must be doubts as to how his body will handle the rigours of a top-flight season. He is a fantastic talent when fit and offers a different dimension to our other midfield options with his guile and class, but he is in the twilight of his career and pace was never a major strong point so the addition of another winger remains a necessity.
Providing cover for the central midfield pairing of Claudio Yacob and Youssouf Mulumbu would also be welcome as at times we struggled last season when either was missing. Youngster George Thorne had looked bright in deputising but was then lost for the season to a knee injury from which he is still recovering. Mulumbu picks up his fair share of bookings, with 2 in 2 matches already this season, so an over-reliance without a viable alternative in the squad could result in trouble down the line. As it stands at present, the man who would appear closest to signing would be Marseille’s Morgan Amalfitano, though he would appear to fit neither the defensive midfield cover option or the winger the squad needs as he is more of a central, attacking midfelder. Clearly, there is still work to be done here.
Personally, I would also like to see a right back brought in, as current starter Billy Jones, who has his limitations defensively, is playing without the backup of Steven Reid who is finding it increasingly difficult to retain any degree of prolonged fitness. We have also looked a little toothless in attack with only a handful of shots on target being recorded over the first two matches of the season. A lot depends on the situation regarding Nicolas Anelka. The club will remain respectful but privately must also be wishing for a speedy resolution one way or the other. West Bromwich Albion are not known as fast-movers in the transfer game so the more time they have to work on incoming deals the better.
It is not just incoming matters which require a resolution either as the on-going saga surrounding Nigerian forward Peter Odemwingie needs putting to bed once and for all. My thoughts on Peter are that he is a very good footballer, as his goal-scoring record since we signed him from Lokomotiv Moscow will attest. Beyond that however, the waters muddy and the situation is a little less clear. I do not believe that he is a ‘bad’ person at all. Headstrong? Yes. Poorly advised? Certainly. Foolish? At times. King of social media? Well, he certainly ‘trended’ a lot last season but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons, as his deadline day drive to QPR and the drama that followed descended into utter farce. All of that, much like his career at the Albion, is now in the past. What remains is a quality player, collecting around £40k per week without even training with the first team squad. For any club, that is a situation that needs addressing. For a club that watches money through a microscope, it will be hurting them.
If this week brings a convincing cup win and a number of quality signings, the outlook will be much brighter than it was a week ago. Should the unthinkable happen and we get knocked out of the cup, the Chairman had better get his chequebook open and fast.
Come on you Baggies!
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