I don’t really want to write this match report, mainly because I don’t know if I can be bothered. Our players don’t seem bothered, so why should I be bothered?

I also don’t want to write it because I am very worried that what I am going to put down will be misjudged and over exaggerated because at this moment in time I’m just about as angry as I can ever remember being….

We started the game with a much changed midfield which I felt was a very good idea. Muntari, Sess and Henderson (finally) where all dropped and in came Richardson, Elmo and Steed alongside Captain Catts. Ming remained in goal (thankfully, although I do realise the impending doom of Gordon’s return can’t be too long away) Onuoha came back in at right back in an otherwise unchanged side.

We started really well and it wasn’t long before Gyan swung in a cross to be met by a West Brom defender who put past his own keeper. The scoreboard gave it to Elmo, but even Elmo didn’t give it to Elmo. Mensah was injured though and he went off for Ferdinand.

We were one up and cruising for about 10 minutes until some horrendous defending from absolutely everyone resulted in Odemwingie having a tap in from 4 yards. Queue angst and anger in the home end.

Barely 5 minutes later and we got a free kick about 25 yards out. What happened next was probably our goal of the season as Bardo smashed a lay-off past Carson and into the top corner. Woah, what a goal.

A half time substitution occurred whenever Rico went off for Zenden and I don’t know why it happened. I am continually baffled to hear people calling for Zenden to start, hopefully today but that to bed, he’s too old and too slow. Zenden weakened the midfield and when Catts was inevitably booked for a horrible late challenge there was little the pensioner could do about tracking back to help. We fell to pieces. Still, the blame lies with Bruce. West Brom took hold of the game and played some incredibly nice football for any side, never mind one with their calibre of player.

Mulumbu then went on a nice little run into our box round about 23 defenders, then went back and skinned them all again, finally poking home from 6 yards. Bugger. The silence was back again.

West Brom continued to dominate the game and were unlucky not to add to their lead. That was until 72 minutes whenever Paul Scharner was found inside the box in space and slotted past Mignolet. All the part time fans got up and started to leave, unsurprising really, they disgrace the club by leaving early when we’re winning.

The game evened out in the last 20 and we had a few half chances. It was just long ball though, I think it’s all Zenden is able to do. Welbeck was through on goal and should have at least tested Carson but fired over. We then lost.

Final Score: 2-3

Man of the Match: Is that some sort of sick joke?

Adam Capper

ALS T Shirts click here