West Brom vs Liverpool

Rory Fitzgerald · February 4, 2013

It will be interesting to see how West Brom will set up in this game given Steve Clarke's insight into our team/defenders. He could go 4-2-3-1 or be more bullish with a 4-4-2 if he feels he can get more. Players in bold are those that I think will start in either system. If they sacrifice a midfielder for a striker then I think Dorrans drops out for Shane Long. Gera is out injured who has 4 goals for them and its unclear what is happening with Odemwinge who has 5 goals for them. Numbers in brackets are goals scored this season in all competitions.

Foster

Jones McAuley(1) Olsson Ridgewell

Mulumbu*(1) Yacob

Brunt(2) Morrison(3) Dorrans

Lukaku (9)

*Back from the ACN and should be available for Monday nights game

Traditionally we've a great record against WBA at Anfield having won 5 of the 6 home games against them in the Premiership era without them scoring. That changed last season when they beat us 1-0 with Johnson losing the ball and Odemwinge scoring with about 10mins to go. It was a typical game cause we battered them with shots on goal and hit the post a few times with Kuyt and Henderson but they managed to sneak a winner.

Momentum / Form

West Brom are 9th in the league and havent been out of the top 10 in the league this season. However, its been a half-a-season of 2 halves.

18-Aug-12 until 29-Nov-12

WBA - Played 14 - Pts 26 - 4th in the league

LFC - Played 14 - Pts 16 - 12th in the league

30-Nov-12 until now

WBA - Played 11 - Pts 8 and would be 18th based on those 11 games.

LFC - Played 11 - Pts 20 and would be 5th based on those 11 games - Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea have picked up 20pts in the same period, City 21 and Spurs 22.

They've kept 2 clean sheets in last 18 games but haven't kept a clean sheet away from home this season. In the last 11 games, there were 5 in which they failed to score. The most they conceded in a single game is 3 goals and there were 3 occassions on which that happened. However, we have been fairly prolific in the last 14 games and 2 top scorers in the league in that period with 26 goals. just 1 behind Chelsea and Utd who both have scored 27.

We are entering into a period of (mini) squad management with 4 games in 10 days. However, after the 2nd leg game against Zenit, we dont have a game that weekend so we have a 9 day break from Feb 21st until March 2nd.

Monday: WBA home

Thursday: Zenit away

Sunday: Swansea home

Thursday: Zenit home

The non-internationals will have had an 8 day break from City until WBA next week. I would send our best players away to Zenit with the exception of Gerrard. After the mini-run of games there is ample time for a break, even abroad, to recharge after the 4 games but I wouldn't be keen on sacrificing the only cup competition we are left in.

Nerik · February 4, 2013

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