On Sky
Monday night will see Albion entertain West Ham in front of the Sky cameras in what could prove to be an atmosphere to remember. Albion take on FA Cup finalists West Ham at The Hawthorns in a game that depending on results today could be a must win or just another game in a disappointing season.
If Portsmouth have earned a point at Wigan or if Blues have beaten Newcastle, Albion will be relegated from the Premier League. Albion currently lie six points from safety with two games remaining, Portsmouth are currently sitting fourth from bottom six points ahead of Albion with a better goal difference, Blues are four points above Albion and if they win today they will relegate Albion.
Depending on how results go it will be a strange atmosphere on Monday night with fans being encouraged to show their feelings towards the board, management and players by taking white ?surrender? flags and turning their backs on the players when they come out at the start of the game.
If results go our way we must get behind the team and see if they actually step it up a gear and fight for a result on Monday, although from what I have seen recently they have given up the fight and look destined for the drop.
Vital Quotes:
Baggies boss Bryan Robson
‘We’ll train on Saturday morning, prepare for West Ham and then probably turn on the TV at five o’clock and find out if we’ve still got a realistic chance of staying in The Premiership.’
‘There is none of that (shaking hands with Bruce and saying may the best man win), myself and Steve have been out for a meal together over the last couple of weeks and we haven’t really spoken about the situation down at the bottom.
‘We have always said you have got to do the best possible job you can for the club you are working for.
‘That’s what I’ll keep doing trying to do my best for the football club and the fans.’
West Brom Team News:
Albion have a doubt over Neil Clement who needs an operation to cure a knee problem. Robson will wait to see how the results at the weekend go before deciding whether to risk him or not.
Midfielder Nigel Quashie has shaken off a knock that he picked up at Newcastle last week and will be joined in the centre of midfield by the returning Ronnie Wallwork who has served his two-match suspension for reaching 10 yellow cards.
The game could mark the final game in an Albion at The Hawthorns shirt for a number of players including Nigerian International Kanu. It has been no secret that he had a relegation release clause written into his contract and a return to Ajax may be on the cards, thanks for this season Nwankwo.
Player to watch: Curtis Davies
No-one else worth watching in the Albion side at the moment.
West Ham Team News:
FA Cup finalists West Ham have worries over a number of first-team players ahead of the game. Former Baggies rookie Danny Gabbidon has a problem with his back and fellow defenders James Collins, Paul Konchesky and striker Dean Ashton are all struggling with groin injuries.
Hammers boss Alan Pardew may choose to rest a number of first-team players carrying knocks, with their Premier League status guaranteed and European qualification guaranteed due to getting to the FA Cup final (playing Liverpool who have qualified for Champions League, so get UEFA Cup spot).
Player to watch: Marlon Harewood
He scored a cracking goal against Boro last week and is a real danger to our defence, Curtis Davies and co will need to be on their toes to deal with the pace of the front man.
Ref Watch:
Graham Poll ? Tring
The best referee in the league according to some. Poll has been in charge of two of our games this season, he was the ref at home to Blues when we went down 3-2 and he was also the referee at Fulham where we got annihilated 6-1 and he should have sent off Heider Helgusson for a wild lunge on Tomasz Kuszczak.
Next Fixtures:
The final game of the season is at Goodison Park against Everton a week Sunday on the 7th May