Manish’s Verdict On The Baggies – Stoke City (Home)

3 Games and 3 Defeats. Not What The Doctor Ordered.

Heartbroken, shocked and dejected. Three words you can use to describe how Albion fans will have been feeling after the defeat at home against Stoke.

When are West Bromwich Albion going to end their hoodoo against Stoke? The Baggies yet again conceded in the last ten minutes and the manner of the goal conceded was appalling.

There are bound to be West Brom fans out there who are starting to get a little bit worried and I wonder whether Roy Hodgson will consider bringing in a defender before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.

But there is still a long way to go and Albion are capable of having another good season in the Barclays Premier League. All is not lost.

Possession

West Bromwich Albion should have picked up at least a point and got their season running on Sunday. Stoke did have chances but Albion for me dominated the game and were more than a match for Tony Pulis’ side.

West Brom had plenty of possession throughout the game but were unable to make it count and were made to pay for their missed chances.

The link up play at times from the Baggies was pleasing on the eye. And I know its easier said then done but when you get chances you’ve got to take them. Look at what Manchester United did on Sunday.

Yes United are a better side than Albion but when the chances came to score against Arsenal, United took them and put eight past their opponents. Plus United were ruthless in front of goal. Something West Brom should take note of.

Shane Long’s header in the first half was brilliantly saved by Asmir Begovic and that was Albion’s best chance of the match. Somen Tchoyi played well again and he’s probably been one positive for the Baggies so far this season.

Mistakes

Just when you thought Albion had learnt from their mistakes against Chelsea and Manchester United, they go and concede in the last minute of the game. You need to be switched on right from the word go until the end of the game.

Ben Foster and Gabriel Tamas were at fault for the Stoke goal and you cannot afford to be making mistakes week in week out otherwise the opposition will punish you. Stoke did just that.

Foster for me should have come for the ball and not waited for Tamas to deal with it. Problem = Communication. If Foster had come out and made the call that the ball was his, Stoke would not have scored. Simple as. Had Gabriel Tamas headed the ball out of play, Stoke would not have scored.

Did Ryan Shotton win the ball off Foster with a high foot? I’m not sure. But that should not have happened in the first place anyway.

However you have to give credit to Stoke and Tony Pulis. Pulis has always made Stoke difficult to beat and for sure his side are a benchmark to the likes of Norwich, Swansea and QPR in establishing themselves as a Premier League side.

Defensive mistakes in the last ten minutes have cost West Brom in the first three games of the season. This has to stop now and the next two games against Norwich and Swansea are must-win.

I can imagine Roy Hodgson will have gone ballistic with his players at full-time and rightly so. Apart from Wayne Rooney’s goal in the opening game, Albion have conceded soft goals. United’s second goal, both of Chelsea’s goals and Stoke’s winning goal were preventable.

The International break has come at a good time in my view for Albion. At least in that time they can regroup and do more work on the training ground ahead of the next fixture.

Regarding signings, I am very surprised Albion have not gone in for Scott Dann. Dann would be a terrific centre-back partner for Jonas Olsson and the former Walsall defender has already proved he can cut it in the top flight.

Owen Hargreaves as I have said would be a decent signing. I still think Albion could do with another striker but Hodgson has already said he does not expect to see West Brom sign any more players before the transfer window.

Still lets see what happens before the transfer window closes. Up The Baggies and Keep The Faith.