Opposition View: Luton Town (H)
Albion are on the beach as the saying goes. And some may argue that’s been the case for some time given our recent run of results.
However, there will be four teams hoping the Baggies players don’t rock up wearing flip flops as Hull, Derby, Preston and Stoke will all have an easier task before them if Albion can beat their relegation rival Luton on Saturday afternoon.
The Hatters themselves know that a win at The Hawthorns guarantees survival regardless of what occurs elsewhere.
Despite looking dead and buried at the start of March, Matt Bloomfield has masterminded a run of just two defeats in their last nine games and three consecutive wins which has left them with their fate in their own hands.
So, what will that fate be? We asked Phil from the OK Football Show to find out.
It’s all on the line this weekend, how have you ended up in this situation after making such a good go of the Premier League last season?
Nothing like breaking me into the conversation gently haha! Why have we been so rubbish? It's a few factors really and it's somewhat miraculous that going into the last day we're in a position to save our blushes, because for huge parts of the season we've looked doomed. The loss of some quality players right through the spine of the team hasn't helped, with loss being defined in different ways. Ross Barkley and Sambi Lokonga departed, Teden Mengi suffered a long term injury relatively early into the season and there was a major loss of form for our strike force that did so well in the Premier League (Morris and Adebayo). Add these on pitch issues to poor summer investment, poor communication from the board and Rob Edwards arguably outstaying his welcome and it makes for a tough situation, and we've been caught out somewhat unfortunately for us Hatters fans.
How do you see the relegation situation playing out with 5 teams still able to go down?
In terms of the relegation situation, I have my ideal scenario in my head of Luton being 3-0 up at The Hawthorns and Portsmouth to be battering Hull at Fratton Park, so I can relax for the second half...but in reality, I simply don't see this happening. It's never easy as a Luton Town fan, we always go about things in the most difficult way possible and I am wary of West Brom being totally relaxed, without any pressure and looking to impress a new manager in the final game before the summer break. I've got a feeling that a point will be enough, and Preston could be the ones to fall; they've got Bristol City away who will be looking to cement their play-off spot at Ashton Gate on the final day, and Hull just seem to cling on. After the disastrous first half of the season, coupled with the tough start we had with Matt Bloomfield in charge, I'll just be elated to escape the double drop and learn from our mistakes. It'd be a tragedy for the club to go down, given the exciting plans for the new stadium moving forwards.
Was the decision to dismiss Rob Edwards the right one?
The decision to dismiss Rob Edwards was absolutely the right decision, taken two months too late. He should have gone after our drubbing away to Middlesbrough. He knows it, we as fans know it, and I would suggest despite their loyalties towards him, the board now know it. If we had change in that November international break, we could have been clear of this situation by now. I love what Rob did for us in taking us to the Premier League and he conducted himself as a true gent in that league, but we had to part, it was the best for both parties in the end.
How has Matt Bloomfield changed or improved you?
Bloomfield has indeed improved us and deserves great credit for coming in halfway through a transfer window, working with existing players, some new players and after a tough start, turning it round. His substitutions are good and he's quite progressive in his game management, I like that he has utilised the January signings, and their consistent places in the team show you how tough things were before January. We've regularly got 4/5 new signings in our starting eleven, with a couple stepping up from League One, so it's been good from Matt to get the best out of these players and make them impactful.
Any injuries or suspensions ahead of the game?
Injury wise we'll be without 2 striking options in Elijah Adebayo and Jacob Brown, as well as the pace and set piece taker in chief Alfie Doughty. Doughty's injury has led to Amari'i Bell playing as a LWB and he's not as fluent further up the pitch as Alfie is. Other than that, we have options to choose from, especially following Liam Walsh's red card being rescinded following the match against Coventry City, so he'll be the playmaker in central midfield alongside either Jordan Clark or Lamine Fanne.
Who is your most important player?
The most important player is Thelo Aasgaard. He's the driving force for our attack and plays nicely with Liam Walsh and Jordan Clark in the inside left attacking midfield area but can float around and influence things going forwards. Defensively, despite a difficult season in his first with us, Mark McGuinness has been great since the turn of the year and is looking good at the centre of the back 3.
What is your weak point?
Our weak point can be breaking teams down and scoring from open play, it's been difficult across the course of the season and Aasgaard has helped things, but we've relied on set pieces a lot this season.
What do you predict your formation and starting XI to be on Saturday?
The formation for the game will almost certainly 5-2-3 style formation. It's tricky because that could easily turn into a 3-4-3 formation when our wing backs push forward. I expect to see Carlton Morris supported in more advanced positions by the likes of Milli Alli and Theo Aasgaard, but when they drop it could look like a 5-4-1. Modern day football hey!
What are your thoughts on Albion at present after our end of season capitulation?
As for Albion, it's been a difficult watch from the outside looking in, as we had predicted yourselves to be sat pretty comfortably in the play-offs. I feel like the mini league of the top 3 (plus Sunderland) has been pretty set from the get go, but I've felt you were up there with the best of the rest, so the lack of form that's led to this game being a nothing game for you has been a shock. I feel like it was a nice thing to get Mowbray back in, but unfortunately for you Baggies it's not paid off. I have seen rumours of Cifuentes taking over next season, but time will tell, I guess! I just hope we get the chance to play you again next season!
What is your score prediction for Saturday?
As for score predictions, it's a huge game and as mentioned, we always do it the hard way. Some of our most famous victories have been 3-2 wins, so I'll go with that. I think it'll be more open than I'd like and let’s face it, the Championship is the epicentre for footballing drama, so I wouldn't be shocked to see you go ahead, make us panic, before we knuckle down again and equalise, before more madness until 90mins!
Written by:
Chris Hall
@CJHall83