Boing boing … West Brom match thread

[MrsB]

West Brom v Liverpool FC - Speaking with the Enemy: Chris Saunders from the West Brom fanzine ‘Boing’

May 15 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

It’s a huge ask, but can the Baggies stay up this season?

That’s probably going to be decided by Liverpool more than it is by us now!

A month ago most of us had written off the season and started dusting off the maps from last year but if we can get into a position where we just need a result on the last day we may just sneak it.

You’re one of those clubs that tend to bounce between the top two divisions – the fans must be fed up of it?

That depends on the alternative! Looking at what’s happened to some of the clubs who’ve been relegated from the Premier League makes you realise that things could be much, much worse. In the last few years we’ve had two trips to Wembley and lifted a trophy – how many Premier League clubs outside the top four can say that? Life at West Bromwich Albion may be frustrating sometimes but it’s never dull.

How do you rate Tony Mowbray as a manager?

I think he still has a lot to learn, but I believe he’ll learn it if he’s given the time to do so. It may not always come across in his manner, but he’s passionate about football and lives, breathes, eats and sleeps it – and he believes in playing the game the right way.

Who have been your key players this term?

Jonas Olsson has been a rock in defence, and we’ve sorely missed him when he’s been out of action.

Recently you’ve got nothing out of games against Liverpool – will this weekend be any different?

Recently??? I think we last took a point off them in 1984! Recently, it’s been a series of hammerings and we haven’t scored against them for 23 years.

On the other hand, that’s got to change sometime and our hope is that by Sunday Liverpool will have nothing to play for and might just give us a very slightly easier ride.

And the score will be?

Sorry, I just can’t bring myself to answer that one!

[MrsB]

The view from the Hawthorns

Jimmy Rice, 15 May 2009
LFC Official Website

Baggies fan Ben Ruhrmund provides the view from The Hawthorns ahead of Sunday's game.

How are you and the Hawthorns faithful feeling about Liverpool's visit?

There is a feeling of anticipation (because we have found some form and given ourselves a very slim chance of survival) and dread (because of our record against you lot). Should be a good game though. We will try to be positive and play some football as I'm sure you will with your quality.

Are you holding out any hope of staying up?

Personally, no. I just don't think we can get anything from you and we would need to win. Some other 'glass half full' supporters are still showing some optimism though. I might even join them if we somehow completely upset the odds on Sunday.

Everyone thought that, out of the three promoted teams, you lot would be most likely to stay up - where's it gone wrong?

We have played great football outside of the box at both ends of the field - but we have defended poorly and at times comically throughout the season. For a guy who was a no-nonsense centre-half, why Mowbray can't get his teams to do the same is beyond me. We also haven't taken a lot of the chances we create. I think we should have kept Kevin Phillips and brought in a quality proven goalscorer - not spent £5m on Borja Valero, a player who was similar to what we already had, or £3m on Luke Moore (who failed at Villa and has been pretty dire for us).

Highs and lows of the season?

Difficult to think of too many highs. Beating West Ham was good early doors and the away win at The Riverside was good. Lows would be any of the games we dominated and didn't win - too many to mention. The Newcastle game at The Hawthorns was particularly shambolic in terms of defending though.

Who should we be worried about?

Don't think we have anyone that will scare you. Brunt is playing quite well and is capable of doing ridiculously good things with his left peg. Fortune has added some much needed pace and effort up front. He could be a spark if we're to pull off a shock.

Who do you rate in our side?

Where do you start? Gerrard is in my opinion the best player in the league - he can do everything. Torres is a class act and you have to admire Carragher for his presence.

What can we expect from the atmosphere?

Well, if we can somehow get a lead, expect a rousing 'We've done it before and will do it again' in reference to our great escape under Robbo. I think it should be a cracking atmosphere particularly if results go our way on Saturday. I kind of want you to win the league but obviously not at our expense.

If you were putting a tenner on it?

You wouldn't get much of a return on a Liverpool win but it'd have to be 3-0 to you lot. I would absolutely love it if we could just get one goal though... we cannot score against LFC - would also be nice not to shift a load of goals as well. Looking forward to it though!

[MrsB]

Benitez: Baggies could survive

Jimmy Rice, 15 May 2009
LFC Official Website

Rafa Benitez today warned his players to expect a real scrap on Sunday against a West Brom team he believes could yet survive in the Barclays Premier League.

The gaffer is aware his side could seal the Baggies' fate this weekend depending on results for Hull and Newcastle.

However, Benitez knows West Brom will give everything they've got to win three points and keep alive hopes of a great escape.

"It is always difficult when playing a team facing relegation," the Kop boss told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"They put more passion in, maybe. It's a massive difference to go to the Championship after playing in the Premier League.

"It will be a tough game for us. They are fighting.

"Why can't they stay up? The thing is, we have to win - that makes it more difficult for them. But anything can happen in football - the difference is not too big."

[MrsB]

Spaniard: I want to follow Arbeloa

Jimmy Rice, 15 May 2009
LFC Official Website

West Brom record signing Borja Valero has told of his ambition to emulate Alvaro Arbeloa's success in English football.

The pair, who played together at Real Madrid, will put friendship aside this weekend when Liverpool and West Brom meet for a game both sides must win.

"I speak with Arbeloa every week," said Valero. "He has been a good help to me, because he knows everything in England after being here almost three years.

"He has been a big help to me and my wife during my first season in England.

"For Spanish footballers it is difficult to come here, because the football is so different. You need to play a lot of games before you can play like an English player.

"Arbeloa is in his third season and is probably having his best season. The more I play in England the more I will improve."

West Brom need three points to keep their slim hopes of survival alive, while Liverpool will still be in with a title shout if Arsenal beat Manchester United on Saturday.

Valero joked: "I told Alvaro they have no chance of winning the league and to let us have the three points so we can stay up.

"It's going to be difficult, probably one of the most difficult games of the year."

[lickedlollipop]

squad anyone?

[Leyton388]

I hope we take out our championship frustration on them and hammer them back to the championship where the belong. 5-0 please boys.

[Shaggy]

Lucas Leiva retains his place in the centre of midfield for this afternoon's clash with West Brom, while Emiliano Insua and Daniel Agger come in. You can listen to full commentary on our Match Day Live show from 1pm BST.

Xabi Alonso is fit enough to join Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio on the bench after recovering from Joey Barton's horror tackle.

The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Alonso, Riera, Babel, Ngog, Skrtel.

[Leyton388]

what time is kick off boys as i dont want to watch all the sky **** before hand? Is it 1.30?

[Shaggy]

Aye 1.30. And I'll be doing the same. On at 1.29.

[squaddie]

Aye 1.30. And I'll be doing the same. On at 1.29.

I was cacking one then flicking through the channels thinking it was quarter to.

[Guest]

It seems Alonso's off then.

[Exiled_red]

I take it the match day squad was decided before the scum played yesterday?

Otherwise I'd have thought we might have put a few of the kids on the bench and maybe give them some experience. I know we still have to secure 2nd place but a couple of kids on bench couldn't do any harm, if conditions were favourable

[Lee]

I'm trying to get excited about this... but it's hard to get motivated after yesterday.

Right then, 3-0 with Torres scoring all three

[Leyton388]

tell you what the guys look gutted but they need to forget about that for 90 minutes and secure 2nd spot. Lets show everyone who the best team in the league really is.

[Parm]

stream for today?