Albion turned in a display that has made fans angry, hurt, disappointed and out of pocket with an unpassionate, incompetent display which gifted Sunderland a 2-0 victory and their first points of the season.
West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Zuberbuhler, Watson, Perry, Davies, Robinson, Greening (Carter 59), Quashie, Chaplow (Wallwork 59), Gera, Ellington (Phillips 45), Hartson.
Subs Not Used: Steele (GK), Albrechtsen.
Sunderland (4-4-2): Alnwick, Delap, Cunningham, N Collins, R Elliott, Lawrence, Leadbitter (Nosworthy 92), Whitehead, Brown (Stead 90), Hysen (Murphy 77), S Elliott.
Subs Not Used: Ward (GK), D Collins
1st Half
Sunderland started the weekend without a point and without a manager and totally devoid of confidence after a 2-0 midweek humiliation by League 2 Bury – not that you would have known this looking at the two teams on show today.
Sunderland, cheered on by their noisy supporters who had been boosted by the news that the rather unstable Roy Keane is to be their new boss, started the game second best when Zoltan Gera’s deflected drive was smartly pushed around the post by Ben Alnwick who proceeded to comfortably collect Greenings underhit (for a change) corner.
As far as Albion were concerned that was about it, from then on we were devoid of ideas and had no obvious tactical direction.
Sunderland should have been ahead after 15 minutes when Browns cross presented Hysen with an open goal from 5 yards out, somehow he managed to fire wide. This miss only seemed to spur Sunderland on as Albion’s defence were at panic stations, Zubi enjoyed an afternoon nap and the Midfield continued to avoid that highly toxic ball shaped thing with ease.
Albion were getting worse and Sunderland were growing in confidence. Brown fired wide on 17 minutes when he was well closed by Curtis Davies. Dean Whitehead then headed wide from a corner after being left alone by Albion’s defence.
After 31 Minutes Liam Lawrence found Leadbitter who went past Davies only for Zubi to close down well and block his goalbound shot.
When Sunderland delivered a 32nd Minute corner as far as the near post Zubi suddenly decided to come out to claim, unfortunately he failed to get near the ball and comically fell to his knees, this presented Dean Whitehead with an easy goal despite Robinsons attempted clearance. No more than Sunderland Deserved.
At the other end Ellington (yes, he was still there) fired a 42nd Minute shot high and wide following a John Hartson flick on.
Half time came – surely we could not get any worse?
Second Half
The anonymous Nathan Ellington was taken off at half time for new boy, ex Sunderland hero, Kevin Phillips.
It was much of the same from Albion as we gave away a by line free kick in the 47 th minute, this was whipped into the box for an unchallenged Danny Collins to head home Sunderland`s Second. Zubi must have still been chewing on his half time orange while Collins marker, John Hartson, still had a mouthful of Steak and Kidney.
Albion came close in the 48th minute when Zoltan Gera hit a sweet free kick which was well saved by Ben Alnwick.
After 58 minutes Bryan Robson finally decided to pop into his Technical Area to offer some advice, shortly before sitting back down again. The poor Chaplow was replaced by Ronnie Wallwork and the disgraceful Greening was hauled off to be replaced by Darren Carter.
Albion were outplayed and outworked in every department and never looked like scoring. Apart from one cross by Zoltan Gera which Hartson headed wide we had no more chances. Phillips and Hartson have goals in them at this level, but have no chance if they are not given service (Note: Long balls over the top is not service)
Albion were dire today and appeared to have no obvious tactics, leadership or desire. There is no leadership and nobody takes any sort of responsibility.
1200 Supporters traveled 430 Miles to watch that rubbish, one more game like that and civil war will break out at the Hawthorns.
Manager Rating
Zero
No obvious tactics, no motivation and no new ideas.
Negative, Negative, Negative.