5string

Now then... 2-3 ... What have we got with 20 mins left?

Couple of tricky shouts for the ref. Could've given 2 pens, one each. Overall, probably got it right - but we're winning so I would say that.

Carrillo to get his 1st would top off the afternoon nicely. Ooh, nearly happened. Corner... ... bit of a scramble. Still got possession...

Taking his last game into account: 1 every 45 minutes, I think. So, should get one early next game, then

YYYYAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!! Free kick from JWP goes in. Had to fight for it from Boufal, though. 3-1

Corner for us now. Where's Stephens? Nah, break away for WBA... came to not much. Sheesh this is going to be nerve-wracking!

Oh hello, another ref trying to help the opposition. No way was that a free kick. Under the wall & wide by 2 feet. Corner WBA... ... cleared. Phew

This is a good shout. Maybe Gabbi for JWP later on? Having said that, I've been impressed by a more physical JWP these last few games - he's finally got something about him.

http://firstrowsportes.net/soccer/west-brom-southampton-krk597c38 Does it for me.

Good save McCarthy. Low to his right. FF would still be falling...

Eh? Oh yeah see what you mean.. ... GET IN!! 2-1

I'd still choose Boufal's, but yeah it's up there competing.

Good move, good effort... pretty darned fine save from Foster tbh. OMG What! A. GOOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!! LeminaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

I thought that's what the line up was meant to be. Would be the natural way of things.

MoPe's body language is very negative: shifting from foot to foot, looks tense & jittery, set jawline, critical comments to players. He is NOT relaxed. I'd suggest he's under pressure.

http://firstrowsportes.net/soccer/west-brom-southampton-krk597c38

Ok now we've seen something. Knock down & a chance.

Ooh close from Boufal.

Corner WBA. I fear the 'Cyrille effect'. Uh-oh here we go! 0-1

Satisfied with most of the starting line up. Shouldn't have dropped Hojbjerg - he should be in for Romeu on current form. JWP needs to start making his 'quality delivery' work for the team. Scoring some free kicks would be a start - didn't he get a scorcher against WBA a couple of years ago? I'd still have preferred a 2nd striker to feed off Carrillo (surely that's Gabbi's strength?), but maybe Boufal will serve that role a bit. Tadic likes to go forward, too, but I expect him to be playmaker with Boufal in the 'free' role. It may even have been a chance to try out Redmond again - don't shoot me! We'll find out soon enough.

When MoPe has been roundly criticised for his 1 striker policy, I'm surprised that most of the teams I've seen suggested here have had just 1 striker: Carrillo. Or has Boufal now been elevated to striker? I know Gabbi has a possible injury issue, but shouldn't we still try with 2 strikers - we have plenty of midfielders of different types to manage, surely? Couldn't Carrillo & Long be a striking option? 4-4-2? Something like: McCarthy Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Boufal Hoj Lemina Tadic Carrillo Long Maybe JWP instead of Tadic, switching Boufal to the left (works well with Bertrand). If Gabbi is fit, put him in for Long. Bring back that young lad who debuted recently... Obafemi? Then you'd have a target man & a runner, enough fighters & ball players in midfield, with extra wide runners in Cedric/Bertrand if attack needs bolstering. It's one option. Need goals.

We might even go backwards... ... oh, erm

We DO have players that are good enough. We DON'T have the tactics, team selections, formations or motivation to match the players' ability. Who's that down to, I wonder? Hmmm... Running down the tunnel, Mr P? Keep going, son.

12 without a win. New manager, please.

Hoj hit the bar with his arse. Does that count?