Same again for West Brom

Same again for West Brom Image

What a strange two weeks it has been since our last game. I haven’t looked over my neighbour’s fence with as much interest since Pamela Anderson moved in next door and regularly used her trampoline, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.

I have never been tempted to use this blog to talk about the Wolves before, but I must admit I have found the goings on down at the Molineux this week fascinating.

I am a little upset I haven’t been offered the job, but as I have Psalm 23 tattooed across my chest I understand the fans may not be that receptive to me. Anyway the answer would be no Moxey, I suggest you try the man from Del Monte.

Sunderland tomorrow and another opportunity to kick this home hoodoo into touch once and for all. The 5-1 demolition of Wolves last time out and the two week break must mean the boys are raring to go. Paul Scharner's struggling to be fit but other than him I would name an unchanged line up. Shane Long is back available but everyone that played at the Molineux deserves to keep their place. Keith Andrews or Graham Dorrans are the prime contenders to replace our Austrian international, but more importantly I hope we stick with 4-5-1.

The formation allows our midfield to push on when we are in possession and if Marc Antoine Fortune continues to hold the ball up as well as he has recently I see 4-5-1 as our most potent shape.

Sunderland arrive in good form having recently changed their manager from Steve Bruce to Martin O Neill. A new broom often sweeps clean but Sunderland will be facing an Albion team full of confidence and hopefully backed by a bouncing Hawthorns crowd. Our home form has been awful this season and fans have often failed to be inspired by the football on show. But for nothing else we should let the boys know that we appreciated what they served up a fortnight ago when completely dismantling the boys in Gold and Black.

The club have offered bring a friend for £15 and I am hoping with a good attendance, a buoyant crowd, and an early goal we can sweep Sunderland aside and let the good times roll on. I implore every single Baggie fan to sing your heart out on Saturday and get behind the boys and Roy Hodgson might just put another hoodoo to bed.

It’s amazing how one result can change your outlook on a season. The derby win has lifted everyone and it’s important we use that positivity to push on, ooh I sound like a life counsellor.

The good feeling at the club continued this week when news that Chris Brunt and Zoltan Gera are ahead of schedule in their rehabilitation from injury. The injury list has certainly cleared up in recent weeks and with genuine competition for places I expect the boys to be fully focused on keeping their shirts.

You can often judge the strength of a team when you look at their bench. Last time out at Wolves players who missed out on the starting eleven included Graham Dorrans, Shane Long, Nicky Shorey and Somen Tchoyi. Some of my favourite players, and players who can certainly have an impact when called upon.

Anyway that’s it from me, I apologise for the shortness of the blog this week but my phone has been ringing for the last twenty minutes and I’m going to have to go and see who has been so desperate to speak to me.

I just hope it’s not Moxey, I hate kicking a man when he’s down.

Same again for West Brom