Terry's Baggies Blog

PRESTON PLUNDERED

20-08-2007

Recycled teenager Terry Wills reflects on a positive start to Albion's home campaignin the Coca Cola Championship.

The Baggies first home 'Fizzy Pop' League fixture against a team that once went by the name of 'Proud Preston' (!) could accurately be described as a 'game of two halves.

(With so many imports and exports,I would imagine that initially the Home Dressing Room more resembled a first time introduction of complete strangers when they entered the 'Big Brother House'!)

Certainly Dean Kiely was initially in doubt as to just who was supposed to deal with any potential dangerous situation, but thankfully Preston couldn't take advantage and after the break Albion made them pay for failing to capitalise on these shortcomings.

What Tony Mowbray said to them can only be imagined, but there was certainly an added zip to their play with 'new boys' Carl Hoefkens, Leon Barnett, Craig Beattie, James Morrison, Filipe Teixeira, Pele' and Ishmael Lewis, certainly playing their part along with residents Paul Robinson, Zoltan Gera, Martin Albrechtson, and the seemingly ageless Kevin Phillips)

Not forgetting a rejuvenated Jonathan Greening the 'Puppet Master' pulling the strings to justifiably earn 'The Man of the Match' Award.

So what does this say about Albion's prospects to mount a serious challenge to join the clubs awash with cash, looking down with total disdain on the 'paupers' holding out a begging bowl pleading for a hint of equality?

Certainly at face value if you add the names of Robert Koren, Tininho, Bostjan Cesar, and John Hartson (only kidding with that name folks!) prospects DO look promising but it's still VERY early days and only time will tell.

However I'll finish by recalling debuts by two 'Genuine Albion goal-scoring legends' who went by the names of Derek (The Tank) Kevan, 1955, and the never to be forgotten 'Big Cyrille Regis, 1977.

Both made their debuts as unknowns and both scored blistering goals to warn opponents they had arrived 'big time.

To these add the name of Ishmael Lewis. A giant of a man (who i immediately nicknamed 'Tiny') and who succeeding in bringing even the most moribund Season Ticket holder leaping from their seat after scoring a tremendous solo goal to seal the points and setting off a 'Boing Boing' chant just for him!

Welcome to the Hawthorns Ishmael Now about a repeat against Bryan Robson's side at Bramall Lane next Saturday?!

Finally. Supporters are becoming increasingly tired of the Curtis Davies, will he stay or will he go, speculation.

BUT if he does stay, which I very much doubt, he will find his ex team mate at Luton, Leon Barnett, a VERY serious competitor for a central defenders spot.

Curtis you have been warned!

Join the discussion in the Season 07/08 thread on our Message Board.