Dare to Dream: How West Bromwich Albion are reaching the heights
Far too many were left perplexed around five o’clock Saturday afternoon checking the day’s full-time scores. At a glance my phone told me West Bromwich Albion had beaten Chelsea 2-1. After rubbing my eyes and looking once again to confirm the initial sighting it was approved in my mind. Yes, West Brom hosted Chelsea, scored two goals and the visitors only managed to score one. Shocked? If the answer to this is yes, you can rest assured you are not alone.
However, by no means is luck or fate behind the rising success of West Brom. May we get the ‘on paper’ verdicts out of the system sooner rather than later. Chelsea, a team full of household names: John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Fernando Torres all being names even those who do not divulge in football could associate with the club. Bankrolled by the Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich and turning over some of the largest revenues in Europe when it comes to sports teams.And there is West Brom. The home side went into the lead with just 10 minutes played at The Hawthorns on Saturday thanks to Shane Long’s stooping header. Edin Hazard gave the visitors hope drawing the match level just before the interval but the day belonged to the hosts without a shadow of doubt as Peter Odemwingie sealed three points just after the restart. But Saturday’s performance and result were not merely a flash in the pan.
Far from it to be precise.
Currently sat in fourth in the Premier League, just five points behind leaders Manchester City, the Baggies may be enjoying glimpses of continental dreams. Obviously it is important to understand the top-flight season is only 12 games old and no one would want to be getting carried away at such an early stage, especially ahead of the vitally eventful Christmas period. Yet, writing this post it would seem disrespectful to not acknowledge the potential West Brom have shown. Maybe they should dare to dream?
Steve Clarke was appointed manager earlier this year when his predecessor Roy Hodgson headed for the bright lights of international leadership and has continued to orchestrate result yielding football at The Hawthorns. Following Saturday’s three points Clarke spoke of how his team controlled proceedings against Roberto di Matteo’s side, irony being the Chelsea boss was Baggies boss just last year, and this has been one of the key forces in their success. It is true that you cannot win football matches without scoring goals, but set that aside for a moment.
Should it not also be said in equal measure that without a resilient defensive system you cannot win football matches? The casual football theorist may frequently overlook the value in solidarity at the back but at West Brom it has been central to the agenda. The rewards are being harvested of the hard yards invested in defensive strategy at The Hawthorns. Starting at the number one jersey Ben Foster is leading the way with four clean sheets to his name already this season. This combined with a solid back four including Jonas Olsson, who has consistently performed with dogged determination, has meant West Brom have only conceded 13 goals so far this season. Liam Ridgewell has also been a key feature at the back for the Baggies and despite recovering from a recent injury is set to continue manning the fort with esteem at The Hawthorns.
Then there is the strike force headed by Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long who have both netted four times this term in the Premier League. However, the beauty of the Baggies this season is the fact they are not relying on the out and out frontmen to provide the goals and have a number of names grace the score-sheet including; Youssouf Mulumbu, Romelu Lakaku and James Morrison. Throughout it appears West Brom have discovered something fresh this time around, turned a corner some may say and are discovering the true potential held within. Not only are they confirming their right to be in the top flight, they are establishing credibility to fight up there too.
Who knows what will happen from here on in, but maybe, just maybe it could be time for the Baggies to dare to dream.
By Ben Hampshire (@BH92)
However, by no means is luck or fate behind the rising success of West Brom. May we get the ‘on paper’ verdicts out of the system sooner rather than later. Chelsea, a team full of household names: John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Fernando Torres all being names even those who do not divulge in football could associate with the club. Bankrolled by the Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich and turning over some of the largest revenues in Europe when it comes to sports teams.And there is West Brom. The home side went into the lead with just 10 minutes played at The Hawthorns on Saturday thanks to Shane Long’s stooping header. Edin Hazard gave the visitors hope drawing the match level just before the interval but the day belonged to the hosts without a shadow of doubt as Peter Odemwingie sealed three points just after the restart. But Saturday’s performance and result were not merely a flash in the pan.
Far from it to be precise.
Currently sat in fourth in the Premier League, just five points behind leaders Manchester City, the Baggies may be enjoying glimpses of continental dreams. Obviously it is important to understand the top-flight season is only 12 games old and no one would want to be getting carried away at such an early stage, especially ahead of the vitally eventful Christmas period. Yet, writing this post it would seem disrespectful to not acknowledge the potential West Brom have shown. Maybe they should dare to dream?
Steve Clarke was appointed manager earlier this year when his predecessor Roy Hodgson headed for the bright lights of international leadership and has continued to orchestrate result yielding football at The Hawthorns. Following Saturday’s three points Clarke spoke of how his team controlled proceedings against Roberto di Matteo’s side, irony being the Chelsea boss was Baggies boss just last year, and this has been one of the key forces in their success. It is true that you cannot win football matches without scoring goals, but set that aside for a moment.
Should it not also be said in equal measure that without a resilient defensive system you cannot win football matches? The casual football theorist may frequently overlook the value in solidarity at the back but at West Brom it has been central to the agenda. The rewards are being harvested of the hard yards invested in defensive strategy at The Hawthorns. Starting at the number one jersey Ben Foster is leading the way with four clean sheets to his name already this season. This combined with a solid back four including Jonas Olsson, who has consistently performed with dogged determination, has meant West Brom have only conceded 13 goals so far this season. Liam Ridgewell has also been a key feature at the back for the Baggies and despite recovering from a recent injury is set to continue manning the fort with esteem at The Hawthorns.
Then there is the strike force headed by Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long who have both netted four times this term in the Premier League. However, the beauty of the Baggies this season is the fact they are not relying on the out and out frontmen to provide the goals and have a number of names grace the score-sheet including; Youssouf Mulumbu, Romelu Lakaku and James Morrison. Throughout it appears West Brom have discovered something fresh this time around, turned a corner some may say and are discovering the true potential held within. Not only are they confirming their right to be in the top flight, they are establishing credibility to fight up there too.
Who knows what will happen from here on in, but maybe, just maybe it could be time for the Baggies to dare to dream.
By Ben Hampshire (@BH92)