Why I hope WBA get relegated - remember this...
Albion time out Feb 7 2005
Norwich 3 - 2 Albion
By Chris Lepkowski, Evening Mail
These next few weeks may well seem like the longest in Albion’s history.
The Baggies’ future is now out of their hands as they prepare for FOUR weeks without a scheduled Premiership match.
By the time they kick off against Blues at lunch-time on Sunday, March 6, their nearest rivals will have played two or three games more.
Favourable results for Palace, Norwich and Southampton could leave Albion 14 points behind 17th spot!
Which is why the Baggies faithful must keep their fingers crossed that Palace lose to Arsenal next week, Blues in two weeks and Manchester United the day before Steve Bruce’s men arrive at The Hawthorns.
The same goes for Norwich, who play Blackburn, Manchester City and Chelsea - while Saints face Arsenal and Spurs over the same period.
All things considered, can we really expect to see a dreadfully flimsy Norwich side beat Chelsea? Can Palace get past an in-form Arsenal?
And what chances of Southampton ensuring a miserable double for the north London giants? Then there’s the possibility that Blackburn could get dragged down.
For those reasons alone manager Bryan Robson, his players, supporters and all associated with Albion must keep some hope.
If they continue to be as positive as they were on Saturday, then they can still survive the drop.
One thing is for sure: if Albion do fall, they’ll be taking a woeful Norwich side with them. The record books state that the Baggies were beaten 3-2, but the visitors were stunning at times.
Three times Albion hit the woodwork, with only Kieran Richardson’s bundled effort giving them any cheer from the hat-trick of near-misses.
Rob Earnshaw had given Albion the lead with his 10th goalforthe clubwithalobbed effort in the first half.
But while the Albion forwards continued to shine --the link-up play between Kevin Campbell and Earn-shaw was, at times, magical --the defence simply crumbled allowing Norwich three attacks on goal. And each one hit the back of the net.
There is no doubt there have been marked improvements in Albion’s play recently, with the side looking more stylish and comfortable on the ball. But the age-old evils of looking weak at the back remain.
If Norwich are relegated they will not be missed. This really is a corner of the country living in the dark ages.
In the meantime, everyone at Albion must keep their fingers crossed that they still have something to fight for when they resume Premiership action in just under four weeks’ time.
Posted By: oh arr on May 3rd 2005 at 02:37:45
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- Why I hope WBA get relegated - remember this... (NCFC) - oh arr, May 3, 02:37:45
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