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West Bromwich Albion 0 - Arsenal 2
| Date: | Monday 2nd May 2005  |
|---|---|
| Competition: | Barclays Premiership |
| WBA: |
Hoult , Albrechtsen (Horsfield, 80 ), Gaardsoe , Moore , Clement , Robinson , Gera (Kanu, 80 ), Wallwork , Richardson , Greening , Campbell (Earnshaw, 80 ) Unused subs: Kuszczak, Scimeca Manager: Bryan Robson |
| Arsenal: |
Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Senderos, Cole, Fabregas (Bergkamp, 74), Vieira, Gilberto, Pires, van Persie (Edu, 74), Reyes Unused subs: Almunia, Campbell, Aliadiere |
| Scorers: | van Persie (66), Edu (90) |
| Referee: | N Barry (Scunthorpe) |
| Attendance: | 27,351 Home Fans Away Fans |
Dave Watkin:
Albion's last home victory over the Gunners was in March 1973 when Tony Brown scored the only goal of the game. In the thirty-two years since then, eleven games had yielded just five draws, emphasising the magnitude of the task which faced the team this evening.
Bryan Robson chose a tactical strategy which allowed Albion to more than match the Gunners for much of the game. With "Big Dave" at the centre of a back three we adopted a 5-4-1 formation when Arsenal attacked, but effortlessly switched to 3-6-1 and even 3-4-3 as we went forward. This enabled Jonathan Greening and Zoltan Gera to attack down the right and left flanks, backed up by the full backs and with Ronnie Wallwork in a holding position released Kieran Richardson to take a free role in the middle of the park.
The effectiveness of the tactics was shown by the fact that the visitors didn't have a strike on goal until after the half-hour mark and by the match stats which show that Albion won nine corners and Arsenal none! All this was achieved by a tremendous work rate throughout the team, typified by man-of-the match Paul Robinson. Unfortunately we lacked the guile to take advantage of our many set piece opportunities and fell behind to a slick Arsenal move coupled with a piece of individual brilliance. The introduction of three strikers was delayed a little too long and in any case didn't really work. As we pushed forward seeking an equaliser it was almost inevitable that we'd concede a late goal.
It's ironic that just as we are becoming a side that looks at home in the Premiership we may lose that coveted status. Let's hope that results next weekend leave us with at least some hope in the final fixture, to reward the fans who gave tremendous support both up to and after the final whistle last night.
TEAM NEWS
As expected Jonathan Greening was recalled after suspension, replacing Richard Chaplow on the left side of midfield. In addition Bryan Robson made a tactical change, bringing Darren Moore into a back three and operating with one striker, as Geoff Horsfield dropped to the bench.
HIGHLIGHTS
The first half hour was very satisfying from an Albion point of view with free scoring Arsenal effectively contained and the Baggies matching the visitors with good flowing passing moves, without creating any clear-cut opportunities.
The visitors did exert some pressure in the lead-up to half time with Russell Hoult called upon to make a smart stop from Van Persie. However, Albion came back and Zoltan Gera created a chance for Wallwork, but he shot over the bar.
After the break Albion had a good spell of attacking and forced three corners in a row but failed to get the all important breakthrough. They harried Arsenal all over the pitch never giving them time on the ball, until in the 66th minute Vieira was able to pick out Reyes on the edge of the Albion area and he played in VAN PERSIE, who despite having his back to goal, instantly turned and in one movement rifled a shot into the bottom left hand corner.
As the game opened up Reyes jinked past a defender and Hoult but his shot was somehow cleared off the line by the retreating Neil Clement. Reyes was then denied another golden chance as Darren Moore made a stupendous saving tackle.
The triple substitution of Rob Earnshaw, Kanu and Geoff Horsfield for the injured Campbell, Albrechtsen and Gera with ten minutes remaining came too late to influence the scoreline. However, two Arsenal substitutes Bergkamp and EDU combined in a breakaway in the third and final minute of stoppage time, with the latter chipping over the advancing keeper, to give the game a very flattering scoreline.
ALBION FORMRATE : GOOD
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH : PAUL ROBINSON
STATISTICS
As a result of tonight's defeat the Baggies remain 19th with just two games remaining:
PLD PTS GD
17th Southampton 36 31 -20
-------------------------------------------
18th Crystal Palace 36 31 -21
19th ALBION 36 30 -27
20th Norwich City 36 30 -30
A draw when Crystal Palace meet Southampton on Saturday afternoon will ensure the fight continues to the last match at home to Portsmouth on Sunday week, regardless of our result at Old Trafford that evening. However, a victory for either side will leave Albion needing either two victories or a draw and a big win, to have any chance of avoiding the drop.
FINALLY
...credit to Vic Stirrup, an Albion fan for eighty years who's only missed five games (home and away) since the war. He was presented with his Barclaycard supporter-of-the-month award at half time and I noticed that, to their credit, most of the Gunners fans generously joined in the applause.
Gareth:
I cant begin to tell anybody how gutted I feel - im sure you all know.
But I can thanks to Robson and the players hold my head high and tell the world YES I SUPPORT WEST BROM.
I don't think we will survive now - the fat lady is on stage and warming up - but I do know this is the best feeling ive had following relegation ever. if its possible to feel good. id cry but the last few months Albion have made me so proud - the attitude has been brilliant and we play football the Albion way.
its been so long since other fans have given us any credit.
I hope we can keep the team together keeping the players we want to.
GOD BLESS MY ALBION
ALBION TILL I DIE
Malteser:
We're pretty much on the verge now, despite a good showing. Albion matched Arsenal for most of the game, and both Gera and Earnshaw came close.
Yet, Arsenal ran rings round us for the first goal, and when the second went in, our lads were pretty tired.
Most memorable moment of the game? Moore's amazing tackle to recover the ball from that Arsenal player (forgot who). Big Dave is back!
Whatever happens now, let's keep this squad together. With a few more signings, we are good enough to bounce back in even more emphatic style.
Keith F:
Full marks to the Albion tonight. No player could be faulted for spirit and effort but they were undone by ridiculous tactics.
Firstly, You can't expect to stop Arsenal scoring for the whole game however defensive you play and let's face it we were never going to score with only one up front.
Secondly, if that system is going to have any chance at all the one thing you do need is for the sole front runner to have pace. We had Campbell, need I say more.
And, as usual, the subs were brought on far too late.
Special commendation to Paul Robinson. What an improved player he's become.
Jez Fletcher:
Well we certainly gave the outgoing Champions a run for their money. They may've been without Henry & Ljunberg, but they still had quality throughout their side and Albion really took the game to them.
Having said that Arsenal defended really well and we didn't have many clear cut opportunities. Wallwork's effort at the end of the 1st half, Richardsons belter, Clem's jinky run. They only had 3 or 4 clear cut chances themselves of course, but their opener was executed with the pure quality you have to expect at that level.
Many shining stars for me tonight, but the pick of the bunch were Wallwork & Richardson giving the two world cup winners a real game in the middle of the park. How I'd love it if Fergie allowed KR to gain more experience next season.
The atmosphere looked fantastic and I'm sure if we have any chance come the last day of the season they'll play their part again. Would love to be there.
Up or down... Proud to be a Baggie.
Philip Cole (RSABaggie):
I've just finished watching the Arsenal match on satellite TV and I am so proud to be a Baggie. The lads gave their all and were only undone by a moment of class and a late goal. Perhaps we stood off the Gunners too much to let them run at us for first killer goal.
No marks as all players gave their all. Unfortunately it wasn't good enough but did anyone expect it to be against Arsenal in the Greed League? In the Premier League there is an increasingly unbridgable gulf from the top 5 which can only be bridged by a sugar daddy or a lot of long, steady building.
I share however the criticism made by others that none of our strikers look like scoring. All the sharp, incisive play in our revival has come from midfield, occasionally supported by defence.
Nevertheless, Robson is clearly the man for the future. Does anyone seriously believe we would have been still in with a chance under Gary Megson?
Proud to be a Baggie tonight. Great things will come in the future!
Melbourne Baggie:
Extremely proud of the team, as they gave it their all. Cannot complain of the lack of opportunities made by us, as the strangle hold we applied to the middle, also inhibited us. Overall Robson picked the right combination, although the timing of the 3 subs was for me, a little late.
Would have prefered they all came on immediately after we conceded. How can we blend our 4 strikers into one player. Speed, power, brains and trickery, ah, if only!
Can only hope the saints and eagles fight out an entertaining draw, the bluenoses come to the party, and the rest go as they should. Our only hope.
C'MON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kelvin:
Yes! I'm proud to be a baggie.
Following last nights match I must praise the following:
Brumie road 10 out of 10
Smethwick 10 out of 10
East stand 10 out of 10
Halfords 10 out of 10
The vast majority of the fans were tremendous. How can you knock last night's performance? But alas some did. Ok we can discuss `should Campbell have been subbed earlier?' or `why didn't Campbell stay down thus stopping arsenals attack?' What we cannot knock is our teams heart, desire to win and the fact that we are now playing Premiership football? Nay good premiership football!
Hindsight tells us that the chairman failed by not sacking Megson earlier (Just a side note to ask where are the `forest will beat us next year because they've got a better manager' likes) but we can only speculate on what could have been. It's not over yet but it's looking that way, to get a result at Man U may take a miracle but!!!
But back to the game and especially Paul Robinson, aint he come on well? Who wants the task of picking our player of the year ? certain fact I don't. Tommy looks better in a three and I have got to admit big Dave looked at his best. So overall apart from losing to last years champions and this years runners up I enjoyed the game. My final bit of rant is why ho why didn't we bite the bullet and play the liquidator although the fans (not crowd) didn't need it, but it would have been nice.
Des:
When I saw the teams line up I definately was in the "ridiculous tactics" camp. I just couldn't make it out:
- why when we needed to score wasn't Earnie playing
- why was it sensible to play 3 up front against Chelsea away, but only 1 up front against Arsenal at home
- we seemed to have named a 3-6-1 formation
- with Greening back why drop the 4-4-2 plan that had been working so well for us
I found myself blinking at the players on the pitch and thinking "this is mad". When we kicked off it soon became apparent that Gera was playing up front alongside Campbell, sort of. So a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 depending on how you looked at it, fair enough. Then something peculiar happened, we played really well and the proverbial Martian football fan would have been unable to tell who was 2nd from top and who was 2nd from bottom. When the half time whistle went I was thinking Robson is a fuggin genius.
The opening of the 2nd half IMO then started to show some weaknesses in the plan:
- our flair players in Richardson and Greening were struggling to make an impoact in a v crowded midfield
- Gera looked increasingly tired and confused, and seemed to be caught between playing as striker or wing half, and ended up doing neither well
- Campbell got more tired and the ball was bouncing straight back into our half following any clearance
- most of all Arsenal adapted to short one touch passing and started to carve us open
Then the inevitable happened, 66 mins gone, and they scored. Like everyone else I was expecting Earnie on in minutes but he finally got onto the pitch 12 minutes later, when it was too late. The subs made little or no impact as they came on when the Arse were well in control. We spent much of the last half hour chasing Arsenal shadows and fair play to them they are an excellent football team. I agree with everyone who has said we are playing much better football under BR but on balance IMHO he got it wrong last night. However our fate was decided against teams like Norwich, CP, Saints, Blackburn, Fulham etc and was never going to be resting on matches against the Arse and Manure.
On a positive note it was great to see Big Dave back to his v best. I don't know whether we have a most improved player award but if we do Robinson has won it by miles IMO. I also thought Hoult had a great game making a couple of excellent saves before they scored.
Worthy of mention was our fantastic support. The noise from all the stands was brilliant and even when Arsenal scored the roar of encouragement from the faithful was truly inspiring. Certainly made me v proud to be a Baggie.
Sarky Parky:
As others have pointed out, it's not over yet. But if either Palace or Southampton win their pivotal game on Saturday it might well be. but if - as is likely - that ends in a draw and Steve Bruce does his old captain a favour at Norwich we could be walking out at Old Trafford knowing a win would take us out of the bottom three and that whatever happens, our fate wouldn't be decided til the last day when I think Fulham will beat Norwich, Southampton will get no more than a draw against Man U and Charlton might well want to reclaim local bragging rights against Palace.
We deserved better last night. Yes, Arsenal were the classier team yet we chased and haaried them so effectively that for long periods we were on top but lacked a cutting edge and a little bit of composure in midfield. Until near the end when we were chasing the game, it was a night of few chances - two or three each was about right up to the time they scored. but even if we DO go down I think we can look forward to the future with great optimism and again view our club with pride.
I'm a great supporter of Robson and Peace but feel both have made one or two crucial mistakes. Firstly, Peace waited too long to get rid of Megson when two things had long been obvious. First that Gary's style of football had no place in the Premiership and second that his confrontational style would make a smooth working relationship almost impossible. Another month or so to get his feet under the table would have made all the difference. The second mistake Peace made was in not pulling out all the stops in buying a striker who could make an immediate impact in the Premiership. So far we have bought three and all have vital deficiencies. Kanu has skill and control in abundance but his contribution to a game is spasmodic, his work-rate poor and his pace non-existent. Campbell leads the line well but again, like Kanu suffers from lack of pace and slowing reflexes. Earnshawe has pace in abundance but so far doesn't have the awareness of a top striker. Geoff Horsfield is probably our best bet which in a way says it all. But their most serious drawback is missed chances. I know Earnie has scored a few but he has missed more, Campbell hasn't proved the answer while Kanu's miss against "Boro must surely still haunt Robson. Can you imagine what Dean Ashton, Andy johnson (or, dare one say it, Jason Roberts) would do playing in front of the current Albion midfield? Perhaps we shouldn't yet write off Rob Hulse. After all, at Crewe, he was the senior partner in the Hulse/Ashton axis and is an idol with the Leeds fans.
Robson hasn't made too many mistakes and unlike his predecessor his blindspots don't seem to impair his vision for too long. There are two exceptions to this. The first was his loyalty to Darren Purse. To most fans, in spite of his enthusiasm and strength, Purse was a liability whose one or two vital mistakes a game were costing us points. Had Gaardsoe replace him as soon as he's served his suspension from the Man C game we would probably have got three points against both Palace and Norwich - and what a difference that would have made! Bryan's second blind spot seems to be in his substitutions. Giving Earnie ten or twelve minutes at the end of the game in both pointless and unfair on the player. I agree with having him on the bench but the last half an hour should be his territory when he can get into the game and use his pace to expose tiring defenders.
But as I said at the start it's not over yet. Two wins and we almost certainly stay up, four points would give us a chance and even one win might be enough though I admit that's unlikely. But even if we go down, we now look and feel like a Premiership club and when we return next May, we shall do so in the knowledge that our management, our support, our style of play and our solid financial base, this time gives us the chance to achieve what was always our long-term aim of doing a Charlton or a Bolton.
AJ-B:
Better late than never I hope. Have been under the cosh business wise this week hence delay in submitting my bit.
Just an item or two that needs comment, firstly I just cannot understand the negativety of some who have criticised Bryan Robsons formation & tactics, for me, & I agree with Dave Watkin, the tactics were spot on & our lads were brilliant in implementing them for most of the game against one of the very best sides in Europe & certainly the best footballing side seen on these islands - ever I would say. So flexible was the system that it took Arsenal over 35 minutes to get the first shot in, yet we also managed some chances ourselves. Not everyone was firing on all cylinders though, I thought Richardson was well below par, too often trying to "do a Koumas" in taking on one too many, also he gave the ball away far too easily, in fact his passing was generally poor, & with Ericsson watching & playing against the side who can keep his club Man U in 3rd place, I expected a 'blinder' from Kieran, but was left wanting. Jonathan Greening was also in & out, more out than in, seemed as though he had missed 3 months rather than 3 games, Gera spluttered in parts, only Ronnie Wallwork, who gave a magnificent performance, came out with great credit from our midfield. Albrechtsen also was superb, but the outright star was again Paul Robinson, who with Ericsson watching, must have impressed as he outshone Ashley Cole in every department. I believe Bryan Robson should seriously consider making 'Robbo' captain, at least he drives everyone forward & displays exceptional committment, he is turning out to be the best left back since Derek Statham & before that Len Millard, who was also captain.
For me Campbell had another 'not too distinguished' of nights, he really seems to find it hard to keep the pace of the game & adds little up front, I would have started with either Horsefield or better, with Kanu, at least wobbly legs has the skill to hold the ball up & could have brought both Greening & Gera more into the frame, Horsefield would have given more strength, alas it was not to be. Now we have the mightiest of mountains to climb, we just have to beat both Man U & Pompey & trust that our co-strugglers slip up.
I agree -as usual- with Stuart Russells comments in his 'summary' of what might have been, I would just add an important oversight he made in that it is not just our inability to score a higher percentage of chances we create, but the diabolical goalkeeping from Hoult earlier in season, he together with Purse are responsible for at least 24 of the goals against total, it took too long to suss this out before Hoult got his rollacking from Robson & Purse was evicted. We certainly were a match for Arsenal & we ARE NOT the worst team in this league - far from it, currently we are playing better than most top 10 sides, sadly we do not have lady luck with us.
This remarkeable struggle though is still not decided, we have a nailbiting 7 days left, & if there is any justice we WILL survive.
MY PLAYER REVIEW:-
- HOULT - Overall a good performance, for a while even his kicking improved!
- ALBRECHTSEN - Stirling performance, really got into the game & showed great spirit. Good tackling & surging runs, his final ball though was suspect at times.
- ROBINSON - ABSOLUTE STAR MAN - as I stated earlier he should be made captain, his tackling was brilliant.
- GAARDSOE - Another top game from Tommy, good on the ball & defended well.
- MOORE - Superb defensive display from 'Big Dave' one tackle in particular must be the defensive save of the season. not sure which Arsenal forward it was who broke clear & from about 12 yards was about to shoot when Darren somehow got his foot round the ball to clear, although the gunner went down, it was a brilliant clean tackle.
- CLEMENT - Another fidgety showing from Clem, the pressure must be getting to him. At times when he has time on the ball in deep defensive positions he seems unsure what to do & is hurried into making poor clearances.Overall though our back 3 together did good.
- GERA - A spluttering display, sometimes brilliant, sometimes almost poor, seemed dis-orientated having to play out left instead of his usual right wing, don't really know why this was as Greening usually is deployed here.
- WALLWORK - Toss up between Ronnie & Robbo who was my star man. Covered every blade of grass, closed down Viera, tackled brilliantly & supplied some great balls - terrific.
- RICHARDSON - I disagree with most who thought Kieran played well, I thought he tried to dribble too much & his passing went astray more than to target, gave ball away too easily. I expected a more disciplined performance & a lot more fight.
- GREENING - A welcome return that turned out to be a bit of a damp squid. To me he loked as though he had missed 3 months rather than 3 games. Did not really get into the game as we know he can. Even so the numbers we had in the middle cancelled out Arsenals unquestionable superiority they have in this area, the great Viera was reduced to some very iffy tackles & was ucky not to have at least been booked.
- CAMPBELL - Oh dear, looked out of it most of game, not the best choice for a 'lone' striker, needed either the power & strength of Horsefield or the cultured skills of Kanu. Earnshaw was not an option as a lone ranger.
SUBS:-
- HORSEFIELD - KANU - EARNSHAW - All came on late in game with only 10 minutes or so left, in last ditch attempt to salvage a point, sadly neither changed anything & neither did they get close to creating anything.
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