Terry's Baggies Blog

RETURN TO ROBSON

27-08-2007

Albion's new manager Tony Mowbray had the chance on Saturday to pit his wits against his predecessor Bryan Robson, now in charge at Sheffield United. It ended Old Boss 1 New Boss 0.

Bramall; Lane. Cheerless. Drab. Unwelcoming. A ground where the last thing you expect to see is entertainment.

Which sums up the Baggies trip to Neil Warnock's ( sorry Bryan Robson's) Sheffield United) who made it clear from the outset that this 'new look' Albion would find an 'old fashioned' Blades outfit in no mood to change the habits of a 'lifetime'.

Now along with a fair majority of the usual Baggies travelling faithful, with the match being screened on the 'box' I took the decision to save the cash and watch from the comfort of the living room accompanied by two similar minded Baggies 'nutters' who were of the same mind.

A hard decision as in truth there's nothing to compare with actually watching a live game but at the final whistle boy oh boy we were left in no doubt we had made the right decision!

EVERY Albion supporter has been astonished to see Tony Mowbray signing no less that twelve new players but I can't help wonder if by the time they gel as a unit there'll be an awful lot of catching up to do if they're to mount a serious challenge for promotion to the 'Greed League'.

But were there any plus points from this disappointing 1-0 setback?

Erm, let's think. Oh yes. Full back Carl Hoefkens who significantly forced an otherwise redundant United keeper into making a couple of saves when the Baggies realised with around 20 minutes left they were staring a second away defeat fully in the face.

Leon Barnett and Paul Robinson 'battled' away as did Martin Albrechtson. But as in previous games Alby and Dean Kiely all to often were at odds with each other whenever a cross came in to the box.

The midfield never established any sort of authority. Jonathan Greening was here and there, probing to breach the United defence, but why make two passes when twelve will do?

James Morrison and Pele were disappointing. Kevin Phillips and Craig Beattie rarely threatened up front although the lanky Scot could and should have opened the scoring before a 'trademark' opposition header from James Beattie ensured our ex manager left his technical area with a contented smile at the final whistle as opposed to the' dour exterior of Tony Mowbray.

So a second defeat from a game that clearly underlines the manager's problem.

He has a strong squad, competition for places, but he needs time to determine just what is his best team.

Saturday summed it up perfectly. When things aren't going well what's needed is a spark of inspiration? Something unexpected as in the case of Ishmael Miller when coming on as a substitute to notch that tremendous goal against Preston.

Sadly he wasn't even I the squad which begs the question. ."Could Albion have signed too many players?"

What's the old saying…'enough is as good as a feast!

Back to live Carling Cup match action at Peterborough tomorrow. Another new ground for many supporters and ditto for the majority of Tony Mowbray's signings.

I'll be there hoping to see an improvement on the Bramall Lane display without the consolation of knowing that if Albion slip up I can't just switch off the telly and forget it.

There'll be a little matter of travelling back to the Hawthorns amid a coach load of similar minded 'brooding' disappointed supporters wondering just when will things change for the better.

'Boing Boing'

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