It’s 1.41am. I’ve just got back home as of 11 minutes ago, I don’t plan on watching highlights, reading reports or anything else of the monstrosity on show tonight, so this will be done in a different format to previous reports I have complied.
Pre Match And Team Line Ups
Twenty changes between the two sides but one huge difference. Irvine had seemingly thrown 11 players on a pitch that he hadn’t picked before. It looked like some sort of a sympathy team – I don’t pick you so come to Bournemouth and have a run out. Eddie Howe was more intelligent, he picked 11 players to fit his system, style and players that would trouble the Albion side.
I was optimistic pre match. A possible quarter final slot and huge opportunity should the right draw come along. However, we played a VERY narrow diamond formation that consisted of Chris Baird holding, O’Neill left, Mulumbu right and Blanco behind Anichebe and Ideye, who may as well of stayed on the coach.
First Half
Said optimism quickly faded. Dawson looked all over the shop at the back, McAuley was struggling with the pace of Rankine and Bournemouth were controlling play beautifully.
A lack of wide players in the WBA midfield area was hindering all part of their game. Mulumbu and O’Neill were not tracking the full backs and leaving Jason ‘left foot only’ Davidson and Gamboa 2v1 consistently allowing the hosts to pick up a head of steam.
As of clear cut chances from memory, there were a couple for us. Ideye, who was useless throughout, shot straight at former Albion goalkeeper Camp and a Blanco free kick went over the bar. There were a couple of instances of moments where we could have pulled the trigger but didn’t, however from my low down other end of the pitch vantage point it may be incorrect.
Anyway. Bournemouth continually hammered Albion. The movement was there, passing and composure were all top drawer. Meanwhile the so called Premier League side with a host of internationals were struggling to string three passes together. Baird and Mulumbu in particular were atrocious.
Myhill did have to make a save first half and WBA were lucky to have their clean sheet intact after what was a bombardment of wide areas from the Cherries and West Brom just didn’t react. Four central midfielders just didn’t work.
Second Half
Same again. We started Ok but were always on the back foot. We never got a foot on the ball in midfield areas with Mulumbu hitting boundaries and no width with the ball. It was Bournemouth who eventually took the lead and deservedly so. O’Kane finished off a move sliding past Myhill.
That SHOULD kick any professional footballer in the knackers and make them react – not this pitiful side. Anichebe and Ideye stayed away from each other like a bad stink, no protection for the back 4 with Mulumbu having a mare and Baird invisible.
Mr Irvine made a decision – Ideye off and Samaras on. Fair enough but at the time it looked like a change that was again made more for minutes on the pitch rather than game management reasons.
After that didn’t work we tried bringing Sess on in a wider role for O’Neill. He did run at players and give it something but the end product was summing up of Albion’s performance. He forced Camp into a low save but ultimately this side never looked like netting.
Berahino arrived more from fans screaming than anything else and he provided a little more of a fear factor as Eddie Howe decided to throw another defender on.
Somehow Albion levelled through a deflected Samaras strike, who didn’t play overly poorly in fairness to him, he was one of the better Baggies on a night most should be ashamed of themselves.
However, straight from kick off, Calum Wilson scored after Jason Davidson lost him for pace. The Ozzie had mare all night and his error summed up his performance there.
Baird and Mulumbu had late headers miss the target.
On Reflection
No one up to scratch, all too slow, all too sideways.
Thrown a cup away, Bournemouth deserve it.
I salute the fellow 2,600 baggies that made the long journey. They deserved more.
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