[Archived] West Brom v Blackburn Rovers

[Eddie]

Really good result and a very enjoyable game to watch. Everything's been said already really, but good to see all the negative idiots from the first half seemed to change their tune rather quickly. 4 points from Kean's first 3 games isn't bad. I doubt we would have done that much better under Allardyce.

[Neil Weaver]

Maybe true. But then again it might be more to do with playing two hard matches in as many days is getting beyond him now. I wouldn't be surprised to see him still able to cope finewith one game per week.

Heard Steve Kean on the radio about an hour ago - he said that Salgado was ill last night and praised him for starting today. Who's going to be RB at Sunderland though now Salgado's got a one match ban (5 yellows)?

[Tom]

Emerton is far more use at RB than in midfield so I would have him there

[Lancs Rover]

Maybe true. But then again it might be more to do with playing two hard matches in as many days is getting beyond him now. I wouldn't be surprised to see him still able to cope finewith one game per week.

According to the Rovers website, Salgado was sick all night but still played.

[Amo]

Arguably, Emerton's best games were at right-back. Seeing as he made his career at Feyenoord in a similar position, it's not that surprising.

[Neil Weaver]

Emerton is far more use at RB than in midfield so I would have him there

He certainly WAS Tom, but haven't seen him play there for ages so I couldn't say with any certainty. But when is he away to that Asian Cup thing - just heard the radio say that Park (Man Utd) has gone already.

[Jim Royle]

Fantastic result and its god to have something good to happen after weeks of turmoil.

Certianly noticed a different emphassis on the approach to the game - less of the "game management" philosophy of Sam and more offensive outlook of Kean. With every substitution that he has options over he has chosen the more offensive, this could damage us and make us easier to pick off, but will certainly provide more end t end football.

I was against the sacking because of the risk involved - I still am because of my risk averse nature and I'm not clear on what the winning slip pays out.

So yes today is a good day, not a very good day (Niko's sending off being painful for the next 3 matches) but still a sense of sobriety is retained and will not be bought by one victory.

[philipl]

Henry Winter's report in the Telegraph praising our support.

[darwenblueswearehere]

Really good result and a very enjoyable game to watch. Everything's been said already really, but good to see all the negative idiots from the first half seemed to change their tune rather quickly. 4 points from Kean's first 3 games isn't bad. I doubt we would have done that much better under Allardyce.

Good point, because after the last two games, people have been coming on here comparing what Sam's result would have been, had he still been manager. Today I very much doubt we would've scored 3 under him, after all we'd never managed it before!!!!

Despite the win (and well done to all concerned, including the fans), roll on the transfer window, then it really WILL get interesting........

[Amo]

People were quick to tell us what Sam would have got against West Ham & Stoke, so how about today?

[chris]

I had not even heard of 9 of the West Brom players and the one I knew the best Carson I think is a dodgy keeper

I'd go for a Sam win.

[Mattyblue]

Well we did beat the other 2 promoted sides away...

[Mozzer]

People were quick to tell us what Sam would have got against West Ham & Stoke, so how about today?

a result that was well and truly needed - did i expect it -NO ....gives us a glimmer of hope ...but things can only change against sunderland ...lets see ...

[Jim Royle]

People were quick to tell us what Sam would have got against West Ham & Stoke, so how about today?

You define the word "Tosser"

[Amo]

You define the word "Tosser"

Tosser, my ass!

[Valois]

What a bizarre day of results. Us getting an unlikely win at West Brom, Blackpool beating Sunderland away, Fulham beating Stoke away after a good result at Ewood... The league has never been tighter.

Overjoyed with that result. Well done Rovers. Now lets get a point or three at Sunderland.

I dont think the results were bizarre today. Everyone cant beat everyone outside the top 4 this year. I think West Brom are pretty average, ok they try to play good football, but there isnt much of an end product. I think if Kali hadnt have got sent off when he did, we might of just got another goal. In fact Kali certainly could have had 4 today.

I think all in all we should be haappy to finish the year in 9th. Clearly still over acheiving, given the recent events, and the fact we have had no money to spend for some time now, when most clubs have been able to spend. Lets prey for a couple of decent signings and get some of our injured players fit again, and keep looking to play positive football. I think we need to get the balance right like we had under Hughes. We played good positive football, but at the same time had players who would chase everything and get stuck in when required.

Great performance today, apart from those gaps in the midfield in the first half. Lots of positives to take outof the game. Hanley looked solid at the back in remember just his 3rd PL start, Ollson quality, Kali 2 goals could have been more, Mame work rate outstanding, Bunn was brilliant considering it was his first PL appearance. The workrate of the team bar Dunn was outstanding, especially after going down to 10 men.

Lets hope for a good new year, and enough of the negative press we get almost everyday, the chicken puns and jokes are become tiresome. Why do they never make jokes of West Ham owners making there money from selling dildo's? Frankly there are a lost worseoff clubs than us in the league. Villa, Wolves, West Ham and Everton spring to mind. At least we have some money to spend, and hoefully will be able to keep hold of our players.

I think its time to forget Sam, love him or hat him, he has gone, this is the new era, lets get behind the team, prove the critics/press wrong, keep up with positive football.

[Ricky]

Just got home now, our fans were outsanding (apart from the few knobheads squaring up to each other on the concourse). The support was vocal and aimed at supporting the team more than slating venkys.

Dunn and Emerton looked lost in the middle of the park, the entire first half saw them bypassed by the west brom midfield who were able to pass and move through them at will. We desperately need a holding midfielder, better opposition would have punished us.

EHD was hilarious. Did a Tugay when substituted and spent about 10 minutes coming off after applauding all

Sides of the ground. At the final whistle he came and through all of his clothes into the crowd leaving him to walk off the pitch in his pants. Briliant.

Special praise to mark bunn, he's got a shortnname don't you know!! Coming on at halftime is never easy but he was outstanding.

I was expecting us to lose and very nearly decided against going today, please i did though.

[SamTheShrew]

Here's my shoe in...

Cracking ball and finish for the first goal, great way to start the game.

From then on in the midfield hole was painfully obvious - Dunn and Pedersen marked each other at times.

West Brom exploited down their right flank time and time again and it just wasn't dealt with, hence this is how the equaliser came about. Shocking goal to concede but was all to obvious.

West Brom had the remainder of the half and we held on until half time.

2nd Half was at times heroic. Two quick fire headers shellshocked West Brom and they fell apart until the sending which they then stretched the play across the whole of the pitch, but the defence held firm. Even Dunn picked up a bit and did his part

Bunn proved very steady and we rode our luck at times but the team spirit was there for all to see. Mame also had an inspired game

It was a pleasure to be a part of the great support and the team clearly felt this.

The only sad moment for me was when the singing became some racist chant about Owen Coyle rather than actually getting behind the team.

Uncalled for and quite frankly in this day and age, pathetic and moronic.

Great day out as the result was unexpected.

Onwards and upwards

[Veevs]

I still think this game should not be looked into too deeply..

WBA have lost 8 in the last 12 games if I remember rightly.. Still I guess it shows that at least 3 clubs below us are in even poorer positions.

Gives me hope tht we will survive the season.. 9th place and 7 points clear of relagation, a min 10m investment too balance the players who want out and we will have no troubles surviving.

[Jimmy612]

Because we need someone who can shore up that midfield. He's the only option we've got. Unless you like Dunn & co leaving huge gaps all over the place?

Grella does that job best of all our squad, but only when/if fit. Obviously though by selecting him instead of Dunn we would lose a certain amount going forward.

I must say that on the evidence of the past two matches and the off field shambles it was an unexpected but very good and very necessary win given the fixtures coming up. Well done to players and manager especially given the fact that Robinson had to retire early in the second half and we had to go down to 10 men. I didn't go or watch the match so I cannot comment on the match itself but the stats show a remarkable similarity to the stats that we've had all season.

We've got 25 points at the half way stage, it's a damned shame that we were at least 3 points shy from the last two matches but that's history now. Whilst I don't expect to repeat that total in the next half of the season a point a game from the remaining fixtures should be enough to keep us in the Premier League next season.

[Roost]

Just got back from the game. What a top result against a good footballing WBA side.

Not going to pick out players for individual praise as it was truly a team effort. The result meant a lot to the players and they showed great spirit throughout the game.

Highlight was undoubtebly the support the players received - the fans were briliant - support from start to finish.

With the exception of some racist chanting from our resident knuckle draggers, its a great day to be a Rover.

[John]

Had a feeling we would not lose today, winning is a massive bonus, especially away from home.

Hopefully we can keep it going and get some positivity around the place.

[Jimmy612]

Good point, because after the last two games, people have been coming on here comparing what Sam's result would have been, had he still been manager. Today I very much doubt we would've scored 3 under him, after all we'd never managed it before!!!!

Wolves? Three weeks ago

[imy9]

Away from home

[unsall]

So by my count we go into the Sunderland game minus Roberts, Jones, Salgado, Samba, possibly Robinson, now Kalinic plus all our long term injuries? Can't catch a break at all here.

Salgado should be available,with 5 bookings it's 7 days when a ban kicks in..