Albion entertain Hull City in their first ever Coca-Cola Championship game at The Hawthorns on Saturday where Bryan Robson`s men will be hoping to start their season with a win.
The Baggies face Hull City at The Hawthorns on Saturday in the first game of the season and they will be hoping for 3-points to kick-start what is going to be an extremely tough season.
Hull City are under new leadership with Phil Parkinson replacing Peter Taylor who decided to take over at Crystal Palace. Hull are entering their second season in the Championship and they will be looking to build on last season`s 18th place finish. They are a good passing side and Albion will need to hit the ground running if they want the three points on Saturday.
Vital Quotes:
More to follow
West Bromwich Albion Team News:
Albion start the season with three new faces with at least two of them expected to start against Hull. John Hartson signed from Celtic for £500,000 and will add some much needed steel up front, he will start alongside Nathan Ellington in a new look striking partnership. Former Charlton defender Chris Perry will start alongside captain Curtis Davies in the centre of defence for the Baggies. The third player Pascal Zuberbuhler should start on the Baggies bench but with Tomasz Kuszczak`s future still in the balance will Bryan Robson start with the Swiss international?
Albion starting line-up from: Kuszczak, Zuberbuhler, Watson, Albrechtsen, Robinson, Perry, Davies, Greening, Gera, Inamoto, Wallwork, Quashie, Chaplow, Carter, Ellington, Hartson
Player to watch: John Hartson
This will be Hartson’s first appearance in front of a full Hawthorns and he will be hoping to open his league account for the Baggies as soon as possible.
Hull City Team News:
Hull are without a number of first team players for this opening day fixture, top striker Jonathan Parkin is missing after breaking a bone in his foot and joins new signing Sam Ricketts on the sidelines for this game. One player who is fit for Hull is new recruit David Livermore who has joined after a two-week spell at Leeds United in one of the craziest transfer twists in football history. Leeds signed Livermore from Milwall for £400,000 only two-weeks ago but due to first-team opportunities being limited he has been given the chance to sign for Hull.
Player to watch: Dean Marney
The former Spurs midfielder will be a threat for Hull and Albion will need to stop him running with the ball, can be a danger from out wide or through the middle.
Ref Watch:
Lee Probert – Gloucestershire
Mr Probert was extremely card happy last season, in a total of 40 games the official handed out a total of 127 yellow cards and 8 red. Look out Big Bad John, he doesn’t think twice about handing out a card or two.
Match Prediction:
Albion need to hit the ground running but our starts to a season have been pretty poor over the last few years. I am still confident enough that Albion should win and I am going for 2-0 with Zoltan Gera and Big Bad John scoring for the Baggies.
Next Fixtures:
Tuesday, 08 August 2006
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Cardiff v West Brom, 19:45
Wednesday, 09 August 2006
Friendly Match
Halesowen v West Brom, 19:30
Saturday, 12 August 2006
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Southampton v West Brom, 15:00
Saturday, 19 August 2006
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
West Brom v Colchester, 15:00
Thursday, 24 August 2006
Carling Cup
Leyton Orient v West Brom, 19:45
Monday, 28 August 2006
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Sunderland v West Brom, 15:00