The adrenaline is still pumping through my veins as I write this report. It’s amazing how 90 minutes watching in front of a TV screen can put you through the mill so much. Throughout the day there had been rumours on Baggies Banter that Myhill had been dropped in favour of Carson and Meite would play at centre-half. Surely a decoy by Roy to put the Potters off the trail? No.
Teams
Both Carson and Meite were included in the starting eleven as Roy Hodgson sprung a few surprises. Out went leading goalscorer Peter Odemwingie and Gonzalo Jara for Steven Reid at right back. Hodgson, in his second game in charge, went for Carson; Reid, Meite, Olsson, Shorey; Thomas, Brunt, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Scharner and Fortune up front. What had Roy done? Did he not remember the error strewn performances from both Carson and Meite? Had he made a blunder he’d regret and would live with him throughout his career at The Hawthorns. Only time would tell.
First half
As expected it was another episode of beauty and the beast as Albion and Stoke made the opening exchanges. The Baggies looked to pass through midfield and link up with lone striker Marc Antonie Fortune. The Potters simply looked to ‘hoof’ the ball – a tactic picked up on by the visiting fans at every opportunity.
It was Stoke who created the first chance of the game when Danny Pugh’s right wing corner was weakly headed towards goal by Ryan Shawcross. Scott Carson easily catching the ball in his first taste of action back in a Baggies’ shirt.
Despite the worries about Carson being back in between the sticks, the keeper looked solid and assured on his return. He even came off his line to punch two trademark Rory Delap throw-ins in the 15th minute to clear the lines for the Baggies.
Albion had started OK, but neither side had really tested the opposition keeper. It was Carson who was called upon to make the first save of the evening when he palmed away Jermaine Pennant’s free kick from 25 yards. A routine save for the former England stopper.
Back came the Baggies and the impressive Graham Dorrans twisted and turned on the left of Stoke’s penalty area and fired a threatening cross-shot across goal. Fortune was inches away from a tap-in before Asmir Begovic dived to save the ball.
Albion were visibly growing in confidence and Fortune was next to test Begovic. The striker cut inside from the right and drilled a low shot which the keeper saved at his near post. A decent effort, but maybe going across the keeper would’ve been a better option.
All season long we’ve given stupid and needless free kicks away on or around the edge of our penalty area – it’s no wonder we’ve conceded the most goals from set pieces. This time it was our captain Brunt who stupidly barged into Pennant after the winger had headed the ball away seconds before. So much for leading by example. Pennant almost made Brunt pay as he whipped his free kick around the wall but fortunately for Albion on to the top of the bar.
Scharner had the chance to put Albion ahead moments before the break but he ‘shanked’ his volley after Stoke had failed to clear a Chris Brunt corner.
An uneventful first half but Albion looked solid. The Baggies had defended well against Stoke’s main threat: their throw-ins. How embarrassing is it that your team’s main tactic is to throw the ball towards goal. You can say what you like about Stoke, but I’m glad we don’t play like that. Our style might ultimately see us get relegated, but Stoke play football from the dark ages. Imaging paying £400-500 for a season ticket to pick up a crick in your neck.
After the break
After all the good work by Albion in the first half it was undone minutes in to the second period. The ball fortunately ricocheted for Walters down Stoke’s left. Brunt did well to block the cross but the ball went behind for a corner.
Albion lined up as a defensive unit like they had in the first half however Scott Carson seemed to be standing BEHIND Rory Delap as Pennant whipped in the corner. Now I might be wrong here, but shouldn’t he have been in front of the Stoke player? Needless to say, Carson was blocked off and Delay headed home from a yard out. Yep, that’s right. A yard. Once again we’d conceded from a set piece from a header inside our six-yard box. Watching Albion is frustrating. You know we’re going to concede from a set piece, it’s just a matter of when.
The Potters had the bit between their teeth and Whitehead almost got on the end of Jones’ through ball to double the lead. Good work this time from Carson to rush off his line and intercept the pass.
The Baggies stuck to their controlled passing style and recorded another effort on goal when Graham Dorrans found the ball on the edge of box and fired towards goal. Begovic claimed the ball at the second attempt.
At was all Albion at this stage as the visitors pressed forward for an equaliser. Chris Brunt saw his serving effort palmed away by Begovic but it looked to be ‘one of those nights’ for the Throstles.
For all our dominance we struggled to create any clear cut chances. On too many occasions we tried the ‘Hollywood’ pass when a simple pass out wide was on. Brunt the main culprit in giving the ball away cheaply too often.
Fortune, who had done well on his own up front in the second half, came within a post’s width from equalising twenty minutes from time when his looping header hit the crossbar and bounced out for a goal kick.
Three minutes later Hodgson made his first change. On came Tchoyi for Mulumbu, Odemwingie replaced Fortune.
Stoke were on the back foot at this stage but an Albion goal still looked unlikely – despite our possession.
But with seven minutes remaining, Hodgson brought on Carlos Vela: the Mexican superstar. Could he rescue the Baggies again? You bet he could.
After being on the pitch for only four minutes, he’d found the back of the net. The excellent Reid passed an inviting cross towards the Mexican. The on loan striker did well to control the ball before firing a right foot volley toward the corner. YES!!!!!! The goal we had longed for all evening. Vela had done it again. He really is better than Cantona.
But the action wasn’t over. The Baggies sensed an end to their long awaited win on Stoke soil. First Dorrans fired a shot towards goal that stung the hands of the Begovic. Vela rushed towards goal but his ‘prod’ was saved by the feet of the keeper. The ball fell to Tchoyi whose curling left foot effort was again saved at full stretch.
Moments later, more drama! Dorrans was driving Albion forward. The Scotsman picked up the ball and played an excellent through ball for Vela. This was it. The Mexican was one-on-one with Begovic in time added on. Again he controlled but this time his side-foot effort was saved by the on rushing goalkeeper. If only he’d chipped him.
On reflection.
What an end to the game. I was breathless. Watching Albion is never easy. Eyebrows were raised when the Albion line up was announced with both Carson and Meite starting. Did either of them deserve their shirt? Maybe not. Myhill has certainly not done anything wrong. But I think that Hodgson got it right. Meite was – wait for it – excellent. He was strong in air, looked assured on the ground, even his positioning was good. Was this the same player who looked to be heading towards the exit door in January?
Carson did well also. However I think he’s got to take blame for Stoke’s goal. He afterwards said that there was certain players out of position when defending the corner. Yet had he been standing in front of Delap, he would’ve caught the ball easily. His kicking was also shocking at times. I don’t like to criticise any Albion player, but at times he doesn’t do himself any favours. It will be interesting to see if he keeps the No.1 spot on Saturday against Blues.
The valuable point moved Albion above Wolves and out of the relegation zone. If only Vela would’ve been able to slot home the final kick of the game we would’ve been in dreamland. After watching the performance against Stoke, I feel very optimistic Roy can keep us up. We looked solid through and defended well against everything Stoke threw at us – literally. Our run in is tough, but he’s the right man for the job.
COME ON YOU BAGGIES.