30/01/10 - WBA v. Sheffield United

[Linz]

Your match thread for Saturday's game...

• Predictions
• Line ups
• In-match chatter
• Reaction

Be prepared to be well felt-up by the stewards on your way in and incredibly frustrated by being locked in a cage a mere 10 metres from your car but forced to walk half a mile around the streets to prevent home fans and away fans mingling after the game.

Unless of course, they've had a bout of sensibleitus on that last one since the last time we went...

 

[S64 Blade]

It'll be my first visit to the Hawthorns on Saturday. Are there any decent pubs near the ground for away fans? We're having a few in Birmingham first, but will probably have time for one when we get there.

I think we'll put the cup defeat behind us and get a draw Saturday, might even sneak a win! Although I suppose that depends on whether we are able to play the likes of Ward.

 

[Linz]

It'll be my first visit to the Hawthorns on Saturday. Are there any decent pubs near the ground for away fans?

In a word, no. T'was a night match last time around and we ended up in McDonalds before getting a drink in the ground.

FGG says: http://www.footballgroundguide.com/west_bromwich_albion/

There are no pubs for away fans that are particularly close to the ground. Huw Morris, a West Brom fan, recommends 'The Vine' which is about a 20 minute walk from the ground. From Junction 1 of the M5 turn left towards West Bromwich town centre (opposite direction to the ground). Take the first left into Roebuck Street. The Vine is down on the left. You can also street park in this area and walk to the ground. This pub also does Indian food and has an indoor tandoori barbeque (from 1pm on Saturdays), plus has a beer garden with children's play area.

Dave Wilson recommends; 'The Park Hotel which is just off junction one of the M5 and a 10 minute walk to the ground. You can park on their car park for £5 and away fans are always welcome. There are plenty of families who meet in here before games and it is a very safe environment. There is also plenty of street parking in and around the area of the hotel if you don't want to pay the £5.'

Sean Mowat a visiting Sheffield United supporter adds; 'As you pass the ground on the right on the main Birmingham Road. Carry on about another half a mile and there is a pub on the right set back off the road called the Royal Oak. We've been in the last two times we've visited WBA. The beer is okay and they also serve Asian food (try the chicken kebabs!). It had a friendly atmosphere'.

 

[S64 Blade]

Thanks Linz. Looks like it'll have to be more time in Birmingham then.

 

[DazBlade88]

I'm staying in Birmingham for a few drinks too, arriving there at about 12.25, probably get to the ground about 2.30 :thumbup:

Can't see us getting anything out of the game but hopefully the day out will be good.

 

[Ollessendro]

Hate to say it, but got a feeling we are going to get stuffed here. I think that Bednar and Mills are likely to give our shaky defence a torrid time. We rode our luck the other night and think we'll come unstuck gainst a better team.

To be fair to him Fortune has done ok since he came in. That said he looks slow. Him and Morgan are likely to be exposed by the lively Bednar.

Think we'll lose this 3-1.

 

[LouTheBlade]

I think its one of those games where we will either pinch a win or get convincingly beaten. I tend to think it will be more the latter. If United sit off them they will pass us into submission and take the piss. Theyre a very good footballing side but they are physically quite strong as well. Despite that we need to get amongst them and stop them playing as much as possible. Our first task should be to stifle them.

The danger men for me are Bednar and Dorrans. If those two get effective and close attention then we have a chance. My lineup would be as follows (4-4-2);

Bunn
Walker
Morgan
Fortune
Stewart
Yeates
Montgomery
Harper
Quinn
Henderson
Cresswell

Subs: Bennett; Geary; France; Williamson (if fit); Ward; Evans; Camara

Big lads are the way forward in this one to throw some weight around. I fear Williamson and Ward would get kicked around from the start in this one and bullied a bit so I would leave them on the bench for impact late in the game. Plus if they are in fact carrying injuries we dont need their big-uns getting underneath them. I will rule with my heart and say........

Blades to pinch it 2-1!

 

[Darren]

Be prepared to be well felt-up by the stewards on your way in ..

Right, I'm going....

 

[Grecian2000]

Our first task should be to stifle them.

It's away. If we were playing Brinsworth Girl Guides that would be Blackies modus operandi, never mind West Brom.
If he had the players he'd go 6-4-0.

Once went to a night match there (1986 lost 1-0 Evans, just in case Darren's around) and was in a boozer a couple of minutes from the ground at half five. Coppers arrived about an hour before kick off and ejected all Sheffielders as roughly as they thought they could get away with. This was not long after the Miners strike and they seemed to be quite happy to tell us how many South Yorkshire skulls they'd cracked in the conflict and how they'd very much like to add to it. Never tried to booze near the ground since!

 

[LouTheBlade]

It's away. If we were playing Brinsworth Girl Guides that would be Blackies modus operandi, never mind West Brom.
If he had the players he'd go 6-4-0.

Once went to a night match there (1986 lost 1-0 Evans, just in case Darren's around) and was in a boozer a couple of minutes from the ground at half five. Coppers arrived about an hour before kick off and ejected all Sheffielders as roughly as they thought they could get away with. This was not long after the Miners strike and they seemed to be quite happy to tell us how many South Yorkshire skulls they'd cracked in the conflict and how they'd very much like to add to it. Never tried to booze near the ground since!

The black country is known for being civilised

 

[Ollessendro]

It's away. If we were playing Brinsworth Girl Guides that would be Blackies modus operandi, never mind West Brom.
If he had the players he'd go 6-4-0.

Once went to a night match there (1986 lost 1-0 Evans, just in case Darren's around) and was in a boozer a couple of minutes from the ground at half five. Coppers arrived about an hour before kick off and ejected all Sheffielders as roughly as they thought they could get away with. This was not long after the Miners strike and they seemed to be quite happy to tell us how many South Yorkshire skulls they'd cracked in the conflict and how they'd very much like to add to it. Never tried to booze near the ground since!

Whilst I have no sympathy for brummies and yim yams, I think this was a reflection of the whole polcie force (i.e. the whole country) at the time. The Met's treatment of the miners (and other South yorkshire men was hurrendous). Thatcher used the police as a political tool and it was bread into them. Cunts! Still, this is a whole other issue to football.

 

[Santos]

Always good tight games against WBA and I think we have a decent record down there over the past decade, maybe one defeat.

I thought we'd get stuffed last time we went and we more than deserved a point even with The Chuckle Brothers at the helm.

But I'm under no illusions, we'll need to ride our luck once or twice, work exceptionally hard and hope to catch them on the counter attack or by a set piece.

 

[JohnDenver]

But I'm under no illusions, we'll need to ride our luck once or twice, work exceptionally hard and hope to catch them on the counter attack or by a set piece.

Santos, I think Ron Manager has stolen your login...

 

[Ollessendro]

I'd liem to see us play an attacking formation for this one. I'd be tempted to got for 4-5-1, however I think they'll score and we all know our record. KB had no idea how to change things when we go behind hence I'd like us to attack them from the outset. I'm afraid I can't see Bednar not getting the better of Fortune (or West Brom scoring regardless). I'd play the same team as Tuesday night (excpet with Stewart replacing Taylor).

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Can't see it being anything other than a 4-5-1 tomorrow which will be slightly disguised by saying he's giving Yeates his 1st start;

Bunn
Walker, Morgs, Fortune, Stewart
Ward, Monty, Harper, Squinny, Yeates
Cressy

 

[LouTheBlade]

Ive read Roman Bednar and Graham Dorrans are both major doubts for tomorrow!

I could see them being a bit toothless without those two.

 

[Santos]

They've both been saying some very nice things about eachother during the week and after their emotional heart to heart over Wardy last month I imagine Blackie is moist at the prospect of the meeting tomorrow

"Ey, Robbie, over here, Robbie come here you little spaghetti bologonise get under my arm pit. ain't you been the lucky one coming here eh? Bloody Tony has a right job on up at Celtic hasn't he? haha, listen, thanks for those comments during the week, really meant a lot, heres to a good game, hahaha oh shit what's that, 2-0 down already? Bloody ell, I thought you said that Estonian chap was alright?"

 

[Linz]

We"re in The Vine in Roebuck Street awaiting our curries

 

[Foxy]

not sure why we havent been to the vine before... Just finished wolfing down a curry and some chicken tikka, quality!

 

[mickerz-blade]

Today vs West Brom

Here are the confirmed teams:

West Brom:
19 Carson
03 Olsson
04 Cech
26 Tamas
36 Jara
07 Koren
11 Brunt
14 Thomas
17 Dorrans
21 Mulunbu
09 Bednar

Substitutes:
01 Kiely, 02 Mattock, 22 Zuiverloon, 23 Meite, 10 Miller, 16 Moore, 31 Cox



Sheff Utd:
23 Bunn
05 Morgan
19 Stewart
33 Fortune
34 Walker
04 Montgomery
15 Harper
28 Quinn
07 Henderson
17 Cresswell
18 Ward

Substitutes:
13 Bennett, 26 Geary, 02 France, 11 Yeates, 12 Williamson, 09 Evans,
37 Camara

Ref: Russell

 

[boo radley]

Would have stuck with Evans instead of Henderson though

 

[James360]

if Derby hold onto this lead, and we get a result today we could sneak up on that 2nd automatic place. fingers crossed, and maybe wishfull thinking but COME ON THE BLADES!

 

[boo radley]

Maybe Henderson will cause more problems throughout the game with his experience.
COYRAWW

 

[boo radley]

Derby 1 - 0 Nottm Forest
Result
COYRAWW

 

[JohnDenver]

Maybe Henderson will cause more problems throughout the game with his experience.
COYRAWW

By experience do you mean elbows?

 

[JJ Sefton]

Getting our arses handed to us.

 

[lenners]

I've have thought West Brom would get four or five today, they're about half way there.
Without replacing Kilgallon with a proper defender, we cannot do what we tried to do last season.

 

[alcoblade]

Would have stuck with Evans instead of Henderson though

yep, we're crying out for that 4 goal per season striker.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

By experience do you mean elbows?

I think he means scoring goals - a small detail that passes our Ched by!

UTB

 

[raul]

Good team is beating average team. No great surprise is it?