West Bromwich Albion held on for a point after allowing former Baggie Ricardo Scimeca to cancel out a 3rd minute Zoltan Gera Header. Bryan Robson started with the same side that beat Hull City 2-0 at the Hawthorns on Saturday with the only change being on the bench where Russell Hoult replaced Tomasz Kuszczak who looks to be bound for Manchester United.
West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2)
Zuberbuhler, Watson, C Davies, Perry, Robinson, Gera, Wallwork (Inamoto 81), Quashie, Greening (Chaplow 63), Hartson, Ellington (Carter 43).
Subs not used: Hoult (GK), Albrechtsen
Cardiff City (4-4-2)
Alexander, Gilbert, Loovens, Johnson, McNaughton, Parry (W Flood 85), McPhail, Scimeca, Ledley, Thompson (Campbell 73), Chopra.
Subs not used: Howard (GK), Whitley, Grombard.
Booked: Albion – Wallwork (Foul, 18), Gera (Foul, 45). Perry (Unsporting Behavior, 58). Cardiff – Chopra (Unsporting Behavior, 58)
Referee: C Foy (Merseyside)
First Half
Albion were greeted by the customary loud, intimidating and passionate Ninian Park reception which I must admit makes me yearn for the days of the old terracing behind the Hawthorns goals. Proper Floodlights, Crush Barriers and Stinking Toilets – call me an idiot if you like, but in my opinion these 3 things certainly make the atmosphere inside a Stadium better.
Albion started with the same determination and fluency of the Hull game only this time we did not have to wait nearly an hour for our reward. After 3 minutes Albion won a corner that was swung into the near post by Greening and flicked on to the bar by Ellington for Zoltan Gera to scramble the ball in. 1-0 after only 3 minutes sent the travelling army wild and John Hartson`s Teenage Fan Club to our right silent.
From this point until the half hour mark Albion were in control of the game looking confident and assured. Wallwork was booked on 18 Minutes for a needless rash challenge on Ledley. Albion then went close twice in 2 Minutes shortly afterwards when Robinson headed Greenings cross goalward but straight at the Keeper and Ellington let fly with a powerful angled drive which was palmed out for a corner by City Keeper, Neil Alexander.
From this point the game was nearly all City as a lacklustre attitude crept in and allowed City to get behind the Albion defence on numerous occasions. New Keeper Pascal ‘Zubi` Zuberbuhler looked very nervous and either punched when he should have caught or stayed on his line completely, this scared the life out of both the travelling army and more importantly the Albion backline.
Cardiff their deserved equaliser on 33 Minutes when Steven McPhail collected a throw and put in a tempting cross which was met by an unmarked, ex Baggie, Ricardo Scimeca. As the Home Supporters went mental Albion were left wandering why Zubi didn`t leave his line and Scimeca was allowed to meet the ball totally unmarked.
Things got worse for the Baggies when Ellington picked up a knock and had to be substituted, as we currently have a chronic lack of Strikers Robson had no choice but to bring Darren Carter on and shuffle the side around. Surely this has to be addressed before we can consider making a serious challenge.
Second Half
The Second half started with 10 Minutes of sustained Cardiff pressure which Albion did well to resist. When we finally got out of our own half John Hartson ballooned his shot high onto the Stands tin roof – much to the delight of the baying Home Supporters who made sure the big man could not forget his recent Marital problems with songs unrepeatable on a family website!!
After 73 Minutes Kevin Campbell came on to a mixed reception from the Albion faithful. Apart from one good chance which he was too slow to reach (Familiar story?) his threat was easily snuffed out by Perry and Davies. Cardiff continued to have half chances and ballooned a few over the bar, Zubi was only called into action once when he made a good save low to his left.
In the final moments Substitute Richard Chaplow came close with a long range drive which rose just too early and went over the bar. Chaplow gave an encouraging performance at long last and hopefully he will persevere and win a regular place in the team.
Albion was very happy to hear the final whistle as we were hanging on for over an hour. Robson and Peace MUST address the Striker situation as Nathan Ellington cannot play through knocks and Hartson will struggle to work without a partner who can do the running for him. In addition, Zubi does not look happy dealing with crosses. Overall I am happy with a point.
Win at home, draw away and we will be back.
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