West Bromwich Albion 2 - Hull City 0

Dave Watkin:

Albion began the season with a home fixture for the first time this millennium and celebrated by recording a comfortable victory against Hull City, our first opening day success for nine years.

The Baggies played some sparkling football early on, as good as any we've seen from the team for a long while. Zoltan Gera was involved in all the best moves and along with Jonathan Greening on the opposite flank, ran the opposition ragged. However, we failed to turn this dominance into goals and both players faded as the game went on. When Hull came into the match, newcomer Chris Perry was the pick of the defensive players. He, and fellow debutant John Hartson, who netted our two goals, are prime candidates for man-of-the-match. The other newcomer, Pascal Zuberbuhler, appears rather too inclined to punch rather than catch the ball when under pressure. I shall be very disappointed if, as appears likely, Thomas Kuszczak moves to Man Utd. However, the club are right to play hard ball and insist on a substantial fee and an attacking player on loan, before agreeing to any deal.

In summary, a satisfactory three points, but could do better.

TEAM NEWS

Albion had three players making their debuts, goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler, central defender Chris Perry and striker John Hartson.

HIGHLIGHTS

Albion were in outstanding form throughout the opening twenty minutes and at that point, without any exaggeration, we could have been four goals ahead and out of sight. After ninety seconds a cross from Jonathan Greening was met by Zoltan Gera and his bullet header from point-blank range was blocked by the keeper. Then the roles were reversed as a looping header by Greening from a right wing cross from Gera, was pushed against the foot of the post by the agile keeper. Gera was in action once more when Paul Robinson hit a searching left wing cross, but this time his first-time volley soared over the bar. To round off this spell, Gera crossed and John Hartson, unmarked at the far post, wastefully headed over.

In truth Albion never reached these heights again, although Hartson had the ball in the net on the half-hour, but the referee had already penalised him for handball.

The visitors, who had seldom threatened during the opening period, began much more positively after the break. They could even have taken the lead when a cross eluded both attackers and defenders only to hit a post and be scrambled to safety.

Bizarrely, in the 57th minute, in their first serious offensive of the half, the Baggies took the lead. Nigel Quashie chipped the ball forward and JOHN HARTSON shrugged off the attentions of his marker, before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper into the vacant net.

We seemed content to contain the Tigers for the remainder of the match, seldom retaining possession long enough to threaten ourselves. Darren Carter for Gera and Junichi Inamoto for Wallwork came on as late subs and the latter was involved in a last minute incident, when Hull claimed a penalty after a tussle in the box.

Deep into injury time Martin Albrechtsen replaced Greening, presumably with the intention of holding on for a single goal victory. However, in the 94th minute, Albion were awarded a free kick ten yards inside the opposition half, which Nathan Ellington took quickly to Nigel Quashie. He took the ball on and drew defenders to him, before sliding a perfect pass to JOHN HARTSON, which the Welshman coolly rolled wide of the keeper for the clinching goal.

ALBION FORMRATE: GOOD IN PARTS

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: JOHN HARTSON

thecads:

while pleased with the three points and the very good performances of a number of players, i still feel we are carrying some passengers at the moment.

let's face facts, hull were not a great team, they were not particularly threatening or pacey. we will struggle against any team with pace or adopt the long ball approach (we twice lost men to provide 2 clear headers at corners against us).

zubi looks quite competent - boy he kicks the ball on a flat trajectory - i would still prefer pig, although zubi is huge - didn't communicate or come out to clear on 2 occasions and left defenders under pressure.

robbo was quiet, mind you after his thundering foul in the first 30 secs i'm not surprised. davies was solid and did well, although passing was off on two occasions. watson read the game well and i presume is there for his aerial prowess and experience, thus he talks to davies. i still think albie offers the team more attacking-wise and his pace will terrify people in this division. i can see why watson is picked, but we ahve to win games....

the pick of the defenders was perry - class, read game well, passed well, calm, although he struggled in the air at times. a good signing - well done robbo.

midfield for me was very poor. yet again greening didn't perform - his corners and free kicks were shocking - he was crap last season at corners - for god's sake bryan, he's inept at the mo. one decent cross, otherwise poor. he needs to pick up or i would seriously play carter who did an absolutely bostin tackle second half for his first touch, then played an average pass to duke who was back on heels.

ronneh and quashie weren't aggressive enough - they didn't close down fast enough (e.g. like mcinnes) - both stood off too much and both didn't look particularly fast. i'm not sure what quashie in particular offers to the team. ronneh must be a slow starter because he was the same last season: off the pace.

gera was class first half - they couldn't handle him first 30 - had to foul him every time - some flicks and back heels were awesome - must work on his fitness though. should have scored twice.

hartson - what a man - strength, power, he wanted the ball - scored 2, should have been 3 - missed 2 other good chances. looks an excellent signing. he needs an active pacey forward to play with.

duke - don't know how he scored 30 goals for wigan - he doesn't make the runs, he doesn't have skill, he gets knocked off the ball - having said that first half he was involved and played quite well. depserately needs some goals.

we need a shittu (strong, dominant in the air for cetain games), a centre forward with pace who makes runs off the ball (e.g hughesie would be perfect in his pomp). we also need pace in midfield. we will miss kamara for this reason - when he is fit this could allow gera to play behind front 2. i would seriously drop greening and quashie at the moment.

one final thought - why was inamoto on bench and played today when he's barely figured in pre-season - i do not see the logic....

i just hope peace and robson realised on today's showing ellie is not the answer. get 2 strikers and get rid of him. i hope he proves me wrong and scores loads - i really hope he does, but i just cannot see how... personally i'd get eastwood and nugent - 3 million and 1.5 m - sell ellie for 2.5 and we'd be up.

oh, if life was so simple...... but it could be: goals win games - our defence will not concede many, but at the mo apart form big john, we won't score many....

baggybill:

Been reading this site for 10 years, and have never submitted a report before, but thought I might now. Have just read thecads report, think he's a tad negative. Hull are a reasonable team, typical of many we will face this season, and while we weren't clinical enough in the first half hour in front of goal, I thought we were never in danger of not getting 3 points.

Hartson was far more of a footballer than I was expecting, loved his lay-offs and the way he read the game, and his finishing for both goals was sublime. Would really love the Duke to hit it off with him, but I think his heart is still with Wigan. Needs to score soon to have any future with us.

Midfield was basically sound, Quashie's lay-off for the second goal was perfect. Worryingly they conceded possesion very easily for the first 15 minutes of the second half, but generally looked a class above Hull. Liked Zubi, especially his kicking, not worried if we sell PIG. Perry was a great signing, Davies was up for it but not quite as brilliant as some of the bids we've had would imply he is. Can't believe Peace hasn't sold him, fair play to the bloke for that. Robbo & Watson were generally solid. Ronneh gave me most heart attacks, gives the ball away too often.

My major worries for the season.............

• Got to get strikers in
• Don't (and never have) think Robson is tactically clever enough to change things when the game plan goes wrong
• B*stard Villa have got a decent manager at last

And fair play to the Hull fans, cracking support I thought, would rather see them than the likes of Fulham in the Premiership.....

cannock steve:

Strange game yesterday, came away from the ground with mixed feelings about our performance. For the opening 20 minutes we were very good indeed and should have closed the game out with the amount of chances we created and missed. If we'd had gone in half time 5 or 6 goals to the good Hull could've had no complaints. However our second half showing was very poor and in the end we could have lost the game. Hull would consider themselves very unlucky not to have taken at least a point. Our achilles heel again was putting the ball in the net, we are either shy to shoot or just plain wasteful infront of goal.

Thought man of the match John Hartson had a dream debut, he held the ball up, won the majority of headers, hardly wasted a pass and took his two goals very very well. Unlike his striker partner Ellington who looked completely disinterested and useless. I liked the look of Perry at the back, very solid in the main part he had a couple of wobbles but had the speed of thought to realise and recover. Our other debutant, 'Zubi' had a quiet game but I question the motives behind us signing him. Did we go out looking for a goalkeeper or was he offered around on a 'free' by his agent. I feel desperately sorry for PIG - last season he was fantastic, to demote him to 2nd choice only serves to demotivate him (again) and de-values the player in the eyes of potential buyers - How can Albion demand such a high fee for a reserve keeper - Imagine how you would feel 'player of the season' one minute, second string keeper the next. Going into the summer more than any other player I wanted Tomasz to stay at the club, but now, what's the point of hanging on? We are desperate for at least two strikers and if the sale of Tomasz secures or helps that happen then so be it - Robson and Peace cannot keep holding out for Rossi, it looks increasingly like that United won't let him go. I presume that we have a plan B,C and D, though it worries me that we don't.

Strikers must be our number one priority - Lets go out and sign two out of Collins John, McSheffrey, Wallcott on loan or Eastwood.

Is it me or is there a gentlemans or pals agreement between Robson and Bruce that they won't go after players the other is interested in. Never mind that, Robson - go out and hijack Blues's attempt to sign McSheffrey. Surely Albion can tempt players away from Southend, Coventry or Fulhams reserves? Man for man we have a better squad on paper than Blues but they have 4 decent strikers at the club which is why they, and not us, are favorites for promotion. Past Hartson and Ellington we have no-one, Kamara cannot be classed as a striker because he can't finish, and Nicholson - despite all the promise is an unproven rookie. How crushing would it be if an inability to score was to be our undoing again this season - especially with our ex's Horsfield, Earnshaw and Campbell plying their trade in this division.

One final subject, Jason Koumas - what a wally, the lad wants to grow up otherwise he'll ruin what remains of his career and his reputation. I agree wholeheartedly with Albions stance, Cardiff knew the deal before they had him on loan last year. Though I'd willingly agree to a ?1M bid from another club.

I'm sure I'm worrying about nothing, but I've read all the papers this morning and we ain't linked with anyone again.

Kev Buckley:

A break-away second goal, right at the death, put a gloss back on a result that may well serve to mask the fact that a pretty poor second half, including a period in hold-what-we-have mode after a goal that came against the run of play, had all but taken the shine off an excellent start in the first forty-five minutes of the season.

Bryan Robson's programme notes suggested that fans will need to be patient because a lot of teams are going to come to The Hawthorns and be very hard to break down, yet a thoroughly enjoyable first-half performance that saw the two strikers, Hartson and Ellington, and the two wide-men, Gera and Greening, constantly combining, often via one touch football, and creating a good number of chances as a result, will have had fans on the edge of the seats for most of the half, impatient, certainly, but not with the usual worry over the conceding of the one goal that would blow a safety-first strategy out of the water, but for the scoring of the one goal that would open the flood-gates. Sadly, that goal never came and those gates remain closed.

If a starting line-up which saw Zuberbuelher between the sticks got conversations amongst the pretty low crowd (20,000 or so, including a packed Hull "end") going as to Kuszczak's future in the squad, Robinson's pointless and, it must be said, thuggish challenge down by the corner flag within the first thirty seconds would surely have started off more discussions as to whether we have left back cover in the sqaud should, as anticpated in many quarters, his propensity for giving away needless fouls lead to a number of periods of suspension over the forty-six games of a second-tier season.

The answer to the latter question may well be "yes" because this campaign's opening line-up saw Albrechtsen left on the bench with Watson deployed as the defender to the right of centre-backs Davies and Perry. With the other Albion World Cup representative Inamoto joining Kuszczak, and the "still two for the future" pairing of Carter and Chaplow on the bench, the centre-mid defensive screen comprised Wallwork and Quashie.

That the latter two should remain mostly anonymous through the match, was as much a testament to the shell Albion withdrew into second-half, as it was to the way that the four players who seem likely to carry our attacking threat this season started off the game. Both Gera and Greening switched the direction of the attack with crisp crossfield balls whilst Hartson's back to goal play kept them and Ellington going forwards into the areas around the Hull box.

It was a good bet that it was only the lack of clinical finishing to round off the excellent approach work which was lacking, both Gera and Hartson spurning a "surely it was eaier to score" chance each, that would have been the meat of Robson's half-time talk, though the lack of that finishing touch would have been given an even sharper focus because of the couple of occasions when Hull also failed to convert good chances. Albion though, were miles ahead on points at the break.

As the second-half unfolded however, it appeared that most of half-time must have been spent talking about how to nullify Hull's brief attacking moments rather than about Albion's taking of the game to them, as most of the crisp interplay between the "front four" disappeared in favour of a more knock-it-forward style.

My supporters club branch chairman thought that Ellington seemed too keen to get rid the ball too quickly and unproductively, a view which I tried to counter with the observation that Ellington, who had looked very much up for it going forwards first-half, spent nearly all of the second in a back-to-goal mode that simply isn't his game. When you add to that the fact that his options for the lay-off rarely amounted to more than whichever wide player was closest, neither Wallwork nor Quashie seemingly feeling the need to offer support through the middle, it isn't hard to see why "The Duke" failed to impress after half-time.

If we were no longer playing to Ellington's strengths after the break, at least the longer-ball style was never going to be a problem for his partner and Hartson gave a fine demonstartion of both the target-man's and finisher's arts when, around the hour mark, though very much against the run of play, "Fat Taff's" size and strength got him, and the ball he had received from another "floated" ball forwards, beyond his marker and advancing through towards goal. The keeper decided to come out and hurry the big man but the latter cooly chipped the ball over him and into the net.

As mentioned before, had the first goal come during the first-half the flood-gates would surely have opened but its arrival during a period when Hull had held the upper hand merely served to see the drawbridge raised even further though the one or two scares we had to endure, including one blazing miss after Davies had slipped, would suggest that the reliance on the holding game is less of a genuine option for us than it was last time we were in this division.

If the Hull fan who ran onto the pitch, having been incensed by the lack of their being awarded a penalty for something not apparent from my seat in the BRE, had still been in the ground at the death he'd have been positively fuming with indignation when when Hull's efforts to equalise were finally seen off, when an extra time break-out after a quick free-kick from, all of people, Ellington, a break-out which saw Quashie further forwards in the space of twenty seconds than in the previous ninety minutes, left Albion with men over on either side of the ball (another first, or so it seemed at the time, for the second half), and the move was finished, again with some coolness, by the already-annouced MoM, Hartson.

It was always going to be a long season and, on the evidence of the second half anyway, it may well seem longer than many first thought, though maybe not for the subs - the first, Carter, being introduced with twelve minutes to go whilst Inamoto got three minutes and Albrechtsen just the one.

Lamp Baggie:

A good result, 3 points on the board - first 20 minutes great display with better finishing we could have been 2 or 3 up but what happened next - Hull made a midfield change & Greening & Gera disappeared out of the game - we took the lead against the run of play (great finish by Johnny H) Hull missed a couple of sitters & should have had a stonewall penalty before we scored on the break with another well taken Johnny H goal.

Once again we played tippy tappy football for most of the game with little urgency no pace and dare I say little passion - too many passengers including Watson, Robbo, Duke & Wallwork.

Plus points all 3 new signings played well in particluar Johnny H & Perry. Zube did OK - is Tommy K's departure now on the cards also Quashie looked busy & was our best midfield performer.

We beat Pompey 2-0 at the start of last year & look what happened.

donnybaggieboy:

well, i came away from the game with a feeling of deja vu, first 20 minutes i thought we played some lovely football, Gera especially was on fire but after a blistering start we put in a rather lacklustre performance. If Hartson stays fit and ellington starts getting the service he thrives on, and we turn those first 20 minutes into 70-80 it could be a season to remember for the right reasons!

man of the match for me was perry. i am concerned about our midfield which were non existent virtually all the second half. why not put chaplow in midfield? the lad, when he does get on, doesn't do much wrong and his distribution is a lot better than greening. Hopefully we can keep Kuszczak but its looking doubtful.

is getting a striker on loan the answer if he helps us get promotion then goes back to his club we'll struggle again. for me spend ?4-5 million and get somebody like Nugent from Preston but hopefully the Hartson-Ellington partnership will come to fruition.

an overall poorish performance but three points, a clean sheet, so on paper a perfect start, roll on cardiff and another three points.