[Archived] West Brom V Rovers Preview 7th April 2012

[Ozz]

Seven league games left for Rovers this season. After the predictable defeat against Man United on Monday (Or as it appears to want to be now know MNF (Insert your own words for that acronym)), Rovers are, predictably back in the bottom three. For those reading who are not aware, the teams that finish in the bottom three after all the games have been played get relegated to the next division down. For those again who are not aware, that is quite a bad thing for Rovers, and of course all the other teams for whom this fate occurs.

If Bolton beat Fulham at home, and Rovers get nothing from The Hawthorns, that would leave us four points of BWFC, who would also an extra game to play, thus conceivably seven clear in theory. Which would leave essentially the likely candidates for the trap door being us, Wolves Wigan and QPR.

I have not looked at the other teams run ins, I don't think it matters that much at this stage. But too many teams have suddenly started to put some results together, and without wishing our top flight status away, a loss in Birmingham this week could be it for us really.

I'm no great tactician, I will leave formation etc to other better qualified posters, But I would urge Kean to instruct his players to play with a much greater sense of urgency and determination than t'other night at Ewood.

View to the right from away end at The Hawthorns.

The Hawthorns is a small ground, redeveloped over an existing ground which was falling apart. No real imagination used though, just earth built up in a heap round the sides then seats plonked on the top. But similar to both us and their neighbours Birmingham City, have a really small stand along one side, which looks at odds with the rest of the ground.

We've sold about 700 tickets so far, but according to the Rovers website Prices for the game are £25 for Adults, £15 for Seniors over 60, Students in full time education and Under 18s. Juniors aged 15 and under can see the game for £10. You can pay cash on the day too, so anyone at a loose end Saturday who fancies a good old booing sesh, WBA away it is!

[roverandout]

my prediction after our 'heroic' efforts against man u, the players will rest on their laurels and we will come crashing back down to earth with a 3-1 defeat

[Rover in Liverpool]

Only 700 going - poor following for a massive game!

[Waggy76]

I am not surprised , many like me , totally pished off !!

[Doug]

Cheers Ozz,

Feel that Marcus and Lowe didn't do themselves any favours on Monday night and the ever improving Orr is making the RB slot his own. Givet is still a better option to Dann but not sure if his 'injury' has cleared at time of posting.

Formica has adapted to the demands that PL midfield positions require and he has the technical ability to create something.

Peds and Nzonzi are our only decent 90 minute box to box midfielders available and Peds is our best set piece specialist.

Junior is the enigma, he has everything going forward but is a chocolate teapot when playing just behind Yak and we don't have possession. So, RM for him.

Henley played well in his limited appearances at LB, this would release Olsson to replace his brother in the LM slot.

We need at least a point, so COYB.

Robbo

Orr Hanley Givet Henley

Junior Formica Nzonzi Peds Olsson

Yak

Subs: Dunny, lowe, Rochina, Modeste, Bunn, Dann, Olsson

[1864roverite]

I really couldnt care less about this game. I am going to Chorley v Chasetown, a few beers, a pie and a few more beers.

Good read Oliver hows tricks my old mucker??

[sharpysharps]

Fully expect the same team to start, and i'm going for a 2-1 defeat with Andrews getting 1 of the goals and Odemwingie the other.

Yak will get the Rovers goal.

[tomphil]

Only 700 going - poor following for a massive game!

Calm down it was 700 or so as of this morn i think and its only wed's. There be a few more plus pay on day. Mind you it should sell out of course but in true Rovers fan style many will not bother, a few free coaches wouldnt go amiss again i suppose

[Torgeir]

Bottom three; Time to give Vukcevic a start, as well as Formica back in the team. Marcus and Lowe on the bench. Will be a nail-biting experience :/

[philipl]

Must win.

[Josh]

With Bolton playing a decent but albeit unpredictable Fulham team, Wigan being away to Chelsea and QPR away to United, winning this game would give us another 3 point gap. Villa also play Liverpool and a win for us and a loss for them would leave us 2 points behind Villa.. they are slowly getting dragged back into this mess.

Of course this is all ifs and buts but you have to dream once in a while

[roversfan99]

Robinson

Orr Hanley Givet Henley

Formica Nzonzi Dunn Martin Olsson

Hoilett

Yakubu

Subs: Bunn, Lowe, Rochina, Vukcevic, Petrovic, Goodwillie, Dann

I think that team has good balance and should be used during the run-in.I'd perhaps understand Dann in for Henley to add a bit more experience, and Lowe could easily come in for either centre mid.

At the moment we are wasting a winger who flourished under Allardyce at left back, whilst his brother is in my opinion not cut out for the Premier League.

Both wingers would provide a threat whilst adding discipline, the centre of midfield looks better without Pedersen and Bradley Orr deserves another chance at right back, he has done OK despite a very uninspiring career to date.

I'll be going and I hope to see a similar performance and result to the Wolves game and not the horrendous showing at Bolton.

They have some useful players like Odemwingie and Brunt and have a very good tactician in Woy but I think we should certainly be going expecting at least a point.

[Majiball]

Bottom three; Time to give Vukcevic a start, as well as Formica back in the team. Marcus and Lowe on the bench. Will be a nail-biting experience :/

I dunno, that sounds expensive.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Come on everyone get down there! The only away games after this are expensive trips to Tottenham/Chelsea and a marathon journey to Swansea. £25 for a winnable, massive game less than 2 hours from Blackburn, plus pay on the day. It'll be criminal if we don't sell out for this one.

[Ralfinho]

Come on everyone get down there! The only away games after this are expensive trips to Tottenham/Chelsea and a marathon journey to Swansea. £25 for a winnable, massive game less than 2 hours from Blackburn, plus pay on the day. It'll be criminal if we don't sell out for this one.

I'd 100% be going to this if I wasnt best man at my mates wedding in Whalley. Nothing less than a point will do us here. Im hoping we get the win as West Brom are safe and may take their foot off the pedal a little. But this is the EPl and anything can happen like Wigan, Wolves & QPR all win!!

[Mattyblue]

I'm heading down for it.

Feeling extremely nervous, have we got the bottle?

Looking at stats alone, WBA have a poor home record and could be in holiday mode.

Squeaky bum time.

[Mike Graham]

I really couldnt care less about this game. I am going to Chorley v Chasetown, a few beers, a pie and a few more beers.

Good read Oliver hows tricks my old mucker??

see you on Saturday bud.....mine is a bottle of strong German beer or 2 (or more like 20).

[Doug]

see you on Saturday bud.....mine is a bottle of strong German beer or 2 (or more like 20).

Please tell us the only alternative is warm pee!

[bradeagle]

No less than a repeat of last season will do. We still have same team don't we?!

[Gally]

No less than a repeat of last season will do. We still have same team don't we?!

In fairness, 6 of the team that started have left, but I take your point. Three points here will mean we will probably need 2 more wins to be confident about staying up from 6 games. Very, very big game.

[bradeagle]

In fairness, 6 of the team that started have left, but I take your point. Three points here will mean we will probably need 2 more wins to be confident about staying up from 6 games. Very, very big game.

Sorry I used to be a very positive fan of Rovers, that has been sucked out of me by the emotional vampire who is in charge now. So sorry if I come across as negative but I have nothing in the way of straws to clutch on anymore. I'm not sure how many have actually left as I can't remember the team from last season, I just remember it was Steve Spleen's first win.

And how we need a repeat!

[Ozz]

The Hawthorns is a small ground, redeveloped over an existing ground which was falling apart. No real imagination used though, just earth built up in a heap round the sides then seats plonked on the top. But similar to both us and their neighbours Birmingham City, have a really small stand along one side, which looks at odds with the rest of the ground.

This is a good read for a few photos of the ground as it has changed over the years.

WBA Ground Thread

[mickygray316]

Does anyone know if there is an away pub for a couple of beers pre game?

[Gally]

Does anyone know if there is an away pub for a couple of beers pre game?

If memory serves last year was a bit of a faff. If you're coming from the Hawthorns station you need to walk through a little housing estate before you come to a long road which stretches for about 20 minutes with a few pubs on it but I'm not sure how away fan friendly they are. Stadium is a little bit out on a limb, you might be better off just drinking in the ground

[Ozz]

A few years ago I ended up in smethwick, and was directed to the building below. I got this photo from Google maps, from my unbeleivable memory and sense of direction. Not sure if it still exists though.

When we got there, it looks like it does on this photo-IE Derelict. But on pushing the door, we found it to be open. Inside, were a load of old chairs and tables the looked like they were from an Indian Restaurant, just scattered around. The bar was not attached to a wall, it was just a free standing chunk from another pub. I saw a Grolsch pump, so I ordered a pint of Grolsch please. Then a young Sihk lad, comes over, pulls a can of cheap lager from a bag, opens it and pours it into a grotty pint pot. Looking round, I decided it was best not to complain, as we stood out rather as away fans, and were vastly outnumbered. Later, there was a raffle to win a West Brom car coat. I wasn't planning on entering it, seeing as how I wasn't in the market for such a garment, only to be informed entering the raffle wasn't optional , esp for me. So I duly obliged and paid them a quid for a strip of five tickets. Luckily for me, I didn't win. In fact, looking back, I don't recall the raffle being drawn at all.

We lost 2-0.