Something strange happened to me on Saturday afternoon. As England’s cricketers were wrapping up the Pakistan tail leaving a tantalising run-chase I was seriously considering whether to go to The Hawthorns.
It shouldn’t be this way. There was a time, even during the time we were attended expecting to lose, that I couldn’t wait to join the thousands walking down the Birmingham Road. But for some reason this season has felt more like a chore than something to get excited about.
After the performances at home against Man City, Port Vale, Everton and Southampton who could blame me? I understand that Albion will never be world beaters in the Premier League. Nor will they ever dazzle like Barcelona. But hoping for some attacking flair isn’t too much to ask for, is it?
Pulis did surprise us all with the inclusion of Stephane Sessegnon on the wing. The introduction of ‘Sess’ did bring an amount of invention we’ve been crying out for. But overall, despite the victory, our performance was as dull as dishwater. We had to wait 20 minutes for a shot. In fact, we only managed one effort on target – and that was from a yard out. Thankfully Berahino gave us something to cheer about.
Walking home from ground the overriding feeling was more of relief than euphoria. I was pleased that Albion had ended their losing streak and pulled away from the relegation zone. But I saw nothing during the 90 minutes that would even register in the memory bank.
I feel the tide has turned for Pulis. Even the media were questioning his tactics in the run up to the Sunderland game. He insisted that he likes to play with width and get crosses in the box. That must be why he’s overlooked Callum McManaman for Craig Gardner for the majority of the season.
On the surface it looks like Albion are short of attacking options out wide. When you analyse the squad it’s actually the opposite. In fact, it’s Pulis’ stubbornness which holding us back. Gamboa provides greater attacking intent than Dawson. The former Rochdale man is an honest professional. But he seems to be regressing. Every time he touched the ball on Saturday it went out for a throw-in or a goal-kick.
McClean runs his nuts off for the side but again his distribution in the final third lets him down. The only half-decent cross that we put into the box came from Brunt – but he’s 20 yards further back in his new position. The only other decent cross I can remember us putting in the box this season was McManaman’s cross for Morrison to head home against Chelsea.
Then there’s the likes of Sessegnon and Gnarby who haven’t been given an opportunity. Arsenal fans have raised concerns over the treatment of Gnarby so far by Pulis. When the German youngster signed an Arsenal friend of mine spoke of his excitement of the forward getting the opportunity to get some real game time. So far he’s had 12 minutes of league football.
Although Albion have been awful to watch this season they are comfortably placed in the table. A return of 11 points from 9 games isn’t too bad – especially facing Man City and Chelsea in our first home games. The same points to game games ratio would see us stay up comfortably. Things could be a lot worse. We could be Aston Villa…
COME ON YOU BAGGIES