November was a thoroughly wretched month. After the Baggies took a deserved lead when Ishmael Miller capitalised on a mistake by captain calamity, Titus Bramble, they were left to rue what might have been after coming up against inspired ex-goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, an equaliser from ex-dingle Henri Camara and a winner six minutes from time after a Carson error.
The habit of the ex-Wanderers brigade cashing in against the Albion is really taking its toll this season, with Camara joining Robbie Keane and Keith Andrews in robbing points off us – those three have cost us at least three and possibly six points, which would see us comfortably ensconced alongside the Manchester Billionaires in 15th, fact fans. However you cannot get away from the fact we are not scoring enough goals – 11 in 15 games is not enough by any stretch of the imagination. Coupled with the defensive howlers that crop up at least once every hour and half, and it is little surprise that the high-flying aforementioned Dingles are the next team below us in the league.
Today was an unlucky day, probably the unluckiest by far, though TM astutely pointed out that we need striker who put the ball where even the most inspired, world beating keepers can’t reach. I look forward to Mowbray finding one of these within our budget in January.
At least the football was miles apart from the Stoke match last week. We actually strung a pass together, had countless chances and looked like the footballing side we’ve come to expect under the gaffer. This loss means my target of 7 from 12 is now out of the window, and the games against Portsmouth and Sunderland coming up become even more important.
Finally, back to the formation debate (sort of). A striker that cost 3m must have merited a start given our current lack of firepower? One can only conclude Moore was a Peace purchase. I for one want to see what he can do, stuck up front from the off with one of Bednar – who looks increasingly unhappy, or Miller. This means playing a 4-4-2 – and dropping our weakest link – currently club captain Jonathan Greening – too good by far for the Championship, possibly not up to the Prem. Oh the quandaries of a top flight manager.
Get behind the lads, get behind Mowbray – we need all the help we can get at the moment.
Referee
Wigan (4-4-2)
Kirkland, Taylor (Melchiot 70), Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa (Kilbane 81), Valencia, Brown (Koumas 60), Cattermole, Palacios, Heskey, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Kingson, De Ridder, Cywka
West Brom (4-5-1)
Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison (Moore 89), Koren, Greening, Borja Valero, Brunt (Bednar 89), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Cech, Barnett, Kim, Filipe Teixeira
Referee
Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)