Shambolic defending and shambolic refereeing sum up this game. The Baggies never really performed to their best in this game yet they will perhaps feel that they should have come away with at least a point. After a bright opening with a chance for Odemwingie in the first minute that saw him bring a good save from Robinson and then the keeper saved again from Thomas shot the Baggies rather lost their way and let Rovers get back into it. Although Myhill had one or two shots to save the home side didn’t look that threatening and it was a little surprising seeing them take the lead into the break. They were fortunate to take that lead and it was all down to Gabriel Tamas who made an unforgiveable error. He somehow managed to misjudge a hopeful punt into the box and instead of heading the ball away from goal he managed to loop it over the helpless Myhill. Albion went into the dressing room rather deflated and things were to get worse immediately after the break when Tamas was at fault again, he failed to close down Junior Hoillett on the edge of the box and he wasted no time in firing a powerful shot past Albion’s keeper who was unable to direct the ball over the bar. From then on Rovers were in cruise control, rarely troubling Albion but rarely being troubled themselves. However, that may have all been different had referee Mark Clattenburg made the correct decision and awarded a penalty when Odemwingie was clearly hacked down in the penalty area by Jones, no instead he gave a free kick on the edge of the area. It was a diabolical decision that calls into question the competence of the officials and seriously undermines the game of football. Had that decision been given then who knows what would have happened next, with a head of steam maybe the Baggies would have got back into the game, after all they did create more chances than Rovers anyway.
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