[Balis-of-Steel]

This game is on Saturday as the International games are on Wednesday this week.

Which means our crucial game v the Saints is postponed.

I dont know if Richardson can be played in the FAC, I would think he would, so I would think he'd keep his place.

Chaplow is cup tied.

I hope Hoult is dropped/rested and Albrechtsen is fit again.

Also either Moore or Gaardsoe is put in instead of Purse.

Make those changes and we might finish winners, leave Purse in the team, goodbye FA Cup.

 

[Eddie]

Come on WBA :fero:

 

[Balis-of-Steel]

I think
Richardson is cup tied as he played in Man Utd v Exeter
Chaplow is cup tied as he played for Burnley.
Greening is out as he has 5 yellow cards so is suspended.

After our reserves beat Liverpool reserves 3-1 midweek, Gaardsoe it appears is completely out of form which is why he hasn't been playing.
Kuszchak has been playing very well so I'd like to see him given a game.

That means our team will probably be something like

        Campbell  Earnshaw
                 Kanu
        Dyer  Wallwork  Gera
Robinson Clement Purse Albrechtsen
               Kuzschak

I know thats adventurous

 

[Balis-of-Steel]

West Brom manager Bryan Robson has warned that he will wield the axe
unless his side tighten up defensively.

Robson has pointed the finger firmly at goalkeeper Russell Hoult and
team captain Darren Purse for the latest horror show at Norwich in a
Premiership relegation battle last weekend.

Hoult was to blame for the first goal and Purse the second as
Norwich triumphed 3-2 after being outplayed for long periods to
leave Albion rooted to the bottom of the table.

Robson stopped short of saying that the pair would definitely be
dropped for Saturday's FA Cup replay at Tottenham on Saturday.

But it is clear that he is losing patience after individual mistakes
at the back have undermined the Baggies improved general
performances in recent weeks.

Robson said: "We just can't afford too many more mistakes - and that
goes for everybody on the defensive side. If they do not improve,
then they are going to be out of the team.

"I am still encouraged by the fact that we are playing well. But we
have got to cut out the mistakes that are costing us games.

"There has been some real poor defending in the last two games. And
it is not a collective thing. It is individuals who are letting us
down with lack of concentration.

"Look at Russell Hoult for the first goal at Norwich. You just
cannot understand why he is not stronger when he is going for the
ball.

"He went through a period when he was doing very well and was
absolutely outstanding against Manchester City - but Russell needs
his form to come back.

"As for the second goal, Darren Purse stays in there when all of the
others have come out in a real good line and leaves five Norwich
players onside. He was sleeping and that lapse of concentration has
cost us a goal.

"It makes all the work we have done on the training ground a waste
of time - and you cannot win Premiership games if you keep making
mistakes like that."

 

[Balis-of-Steel]

For me he has said here that a bad performance v Spurs will be the end
for both Hoult and Purse in the team as first choice players. Shame
really as I think they should have been dropped a game or two ago.
But (assuming we lose to Spurs), we would have Kuzczhak in goal and TG
at CB for the vastly more important Saints game.

 

[Balis-of-Steel]

http://www.expressandstar.com/articles/sport/albion/article_70816.php



Koumas to get his big chance in Cup
By Andy Toft
Feb 9, 2005, 07:48


Jason Koumas could get the chance to revive his Albion career at Spurs on
Saturday as manager Bryan Robson looks to overcome a midfield crisis.

Jonathan Greening's fifth booking of the season in the 3-2 defeat at Norwich
means he will miss the FA Cup replay at White Hart Lane, while Richard
Chaplow and Kieran Richardson are both cup tied.

If Martin Albrechtsen fails to recover from injury Robson will be forced to
start with Riccardo Scimeca at right-back - putting further strain on his
resources.

Robson's midfield personnel problems will leave the door open for Koumas who
has not started a game since the 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Boxing
Day.

And the boss warned the Welsh international that Saturday's fourth round
replay could be his big chance to impress after a season in which he has
failed to nail a starting place.

"This gives people like Jason Koumas and James O'Connor a chance to show
what they can do," said Robson.

"Every time I've looked at Jason over the last few weeks he's had a virus or
a minor injury. He's missed a lot of training which has hindered his
fitness."

Despite this and the arrivals of Chaplow and Richardson, Robson insists
Koumas could still play an important part for the Baggies during their
survival struggle.

"Jason has got more ability than anyone at this football club but he's got
to combine that with workrate," said the Albion boss. "I keep talking to him
about it.

"When I came here I spoke to him and Ronnie Wallwork. I've had a great
response from Ronnie.

"He (Koumas) has got good attributes but also deficiencies as a Premiership
player. He's got to work on the defensive side of his game and his
workrate."

Robson insists he will pick a strong side on Saturday.

"I will be looking at different things but I want to win the game," he said.

"People say the FA Cup can get in the way of the league but I don't believe
that.

"If we win it will be great for confidence."

 

[Balis-of-Steel]

Team for tomorrow ...

         Campbell - Earnie
Koumas - Wallwork - Scimeca - Gera
Robinson - Clement - Purse - Alby
                Hoult

Not my choice but the one I think BR will field.
1-1 in normal time us losing 2-1 in extra time.

 

[Wally]

Hard luck Jon, seems to be the story of your season. Play some good football but still manage to lose as your strikers weren't clinical enough. Penalty was one though imo but the freekick to set up our 2nd was harsh and not one.

Hopefully though Robbo will continue playing football over the ground and won't resort to route 1 stuff to get you out of trouble as I like seeing good footballing sides and I believe it'll reap benefits in the end. Rather have you stay up then even Portsmouth for example who played attrocious football against us. It's little consolation I know

 

[Carson35]

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Tottenham 3-1 W Brom: Defoe brace

PA

England striker Jermain Defoe smashed two second-half goals to send Tottenham into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 home replay win over West Brom.

Ledley King leaves a prostrate Kanu in his wake. (RichardHeathcote/Empics)

Defoe struck twice in six minutes in front of watching England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to set up a home tie with Nottingham Forest next Sunday after West Brom had given Spurs an early scare.

Former Arsenal striker Kanu had headed Albion into an 11th-minute lead before Robbie Keane equalised from a dubious penalty award just before the interval.

Tottenham had begun the game utilising a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Robbie Keane given the task of playing behind the two main strikers of Fredi Kanoute and Defoe.

Defoe: We deserved it

The visitors settled down to control the opening 10 minutes without being able to engineer a clear cut opportunity from their dominance. However, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 11th minute and it was Kanu who headed the visitors in front.

The Spurs defence were not alert to the danger when Kevin Campbell backheeled the ball to Zoltan Gera on the right flank and Gera's cross was perfectly judged for Kanu to rise above full-back Stephen Kelly and put Albion ahead.

It was due reward for Bryan Robson's side and they continued to impose themselves on a fragile-looking Spurs rearguard.

In the 14th minute goalkeeper Paul Robinson had to pull off a fine save from his namesake as Albion threatened to increase their advantage.

Spurs appealed for a penalty in the 31st minute when Neil Clement looked to have brought down Keane, but referee Rob Styles correctly waved play on.

Tottenham had to thank England keeper Robinson for keeping them in the game in the 33rd minute when he managed to turn a Campbell shot around the post after the visitors had carved open their defence once more.

Gera was again the provider with a clever through-ball which bamboozled Tottenham's rearguard and left Campbell bearing down on Robinson.

But the former Arsenal and Everton striker's right-footed shot was brilliantly tipped around the post by Robinson to the relief of the home fans and coach Martin Jol.

Three minutes later it was Defoe's turn to squander a gilt-edged opportunity for the Londoners. Kanoute managed to find enough space to deliver a right-wing cross which fell perfectly for the England striker on the penalty spot.

But Defoe sent his volley high into the stands as Tottenham's troubles continued.

The home side's confidence and ideas were rapidly diminishing, but they hauled themselves back into the game thanks to a dubious penalty award by Styles.

Albion goalkeeper Russell Hoult was harshly adjudged to have brought down Stephen Kelly five minutes before the interval.

After a lengthy bout of treatment, Hoult was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak and Keane sent him the wrong way from the spot to level the scores against the run of play.

Spurs made a change at half-time, with Simon Davies being introduced into the action in place of Keane as the home side returned to a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation.

Three minutes after the restart the change worked, with Davies winning a free-kick for handball on the edge of the penalty area.

With the Albion defence expecting a shot from Reto Ziegler, Michael Carrick played a quick pass to Defoe and the striker sent a vicious right-footed drive into the roof of the net to put Spurs in front.

It was Defoe's 18th goal of the season in all competitions and justified Jol's decision to replace Keane at the break.

Spurs were now in full flow and Davies and Defoe were at the heart of all their best moves as the Londoners looked to put the game beyond Albion.

And they did just that in the 54th minute with Defoe hitting his second goal of the game. Kanoute brilliantly bamboozled the Albion defence on the edge of the six-yard box before crossing for Defoe to thump the ball into the corner of the net for the third.

They should have made it four in the 57th minute, but Michael Brown could not direct his free header beyond Kuszczak after Carrick had picked him out on the edge of the six-yard box with a perfect cross from the right flank.

Albion brought on Robert Earnshaw in place of Kanu in a bid to salvage something from the tie, but their efforts were all in vain as Spurs held on to take their place in the next round.

Defoe: We deserved it

Jermain Defoe felt Tottenham were the better side as they recovered from a goal down to beat West Brom 3-1 and progress to the FA Cup fifth round.

The Baggies led thanks to a Kanu header but Spurs hit back and won a penalty when Stephen Kelly was bundled over by Russell Hoult in the box.

The Albion goalkeeper suffered a facial injury and could not continue and Robbie Keane beat his replacement Tomasz Kuszczak from the spot.

Martin Jol's side took charge in the second period and a brace from Defoe took them into the last 16.

'We decided to go with three up front, which went OK for us,' said the England striker. 'It was difficult to get on the ball in the first half but the second was a lot better for us.

'Cup games are special. The manager stressed to us before the game that it was a special one and now we're through it feels really good,' Defoe told the BBC.

'West Brom had their chances and their front men were a threat, but I thought we were the better side to be honest.'

soccernet

 

[Balis-of-Steel]

From BBC...

Two goals in five minutes by Jermain Defoe put Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round after they came from behind to beat an impressive West Brom.

Kanu headed the visitors in front as they began the game far more energetically than the home side.

Robbie Keane levelled from the spot after Steven Kelly was fouled by Russell Hoult, who was stretchered off.

Defoe's stunning effort just after the break put Spurs ahead before Freddie Kanoute set up Defoe's second goal.

Former Arsenal player Kanu had given the visitors a deserved early lead when he headed home Zoltan Gera's right-wing cross.

Fellow ex-Gunner Kevin Campbell and West Brom's Paul Robinson then drew good saves from Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson as the Baggies threatened to increase their advantage over the dazed-looking home side.

Defoe's shot wildly over was Tottenham's only real first half threat until Hoult was stretchered off giving away a penalty for bringing down Kelly, with Robbie Keane put past substitute Tomasz Kuszczak.

But the game was transformed just after the break courtesy of two stunning strikes by Defoe.

First he lashed home a dazzling shot from the edge of the box after Michael Carrick's free-kick, then fellow ex-West Ham colleague Kanoute set him up to drive in another from 10 yards.

West Brom did not give up, however, and signalled their determination to keep fighting by bringing on the ever-dangerous Robert Earnshaw for Kanu.

Defoe nearly claimed a hat-trick when Carrick's through-ball opened up the West Brom defence, but Kuszczak was quick to smother the opportunity.

In a frantic finale, Robinson had to be at his best to keep out a long-range free kick by Neil Clement, before Simon Davies went down the other end and produced an excellent save from Kuszczak.

Afterwards, West Brom manager Bryan Robson pointed the finger of blame at the officials for his side's exit from the Cup.

"When your players play well and put in a good performance, the officials must get things right," he said.

"I thought throughout the game, decisions went against us.

"We've got two important game coming up, against Southampton and Birmingham. If we perform like we did in the first half, that gives us some chance."

# Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe:

"We decided to go with three up front, which went okay for us," he said. "It was difficult to get on the ball in the first half but the second was better.

"Cup games are special. The manager stressed to us before the game that it was a special one and now we're through it feels really good.

# West Brom manager Bryan Robson:

"West Brom had their chances but I thought we were the better side."

"When your players play well and put in a good performance, the officials must get things right," he said.

"I thought throughout the game, decisions went against us.

"We've got two important game coming up, against Southampton and Birmingham. If we perform like we did in the first half, that gives us some chance."

Tottenham: Robinson, Kelly, Gardner, King, Atouba, Brown, Carrick, Ziegler, Kanoute, Defoe, Keane (Davies 45). Subs Not Used: Cerny, Pedro Mendes, Naybet, Edman.

Goals: Keane 45 pen, Defoe 50, 55.

West Brom: Hoult (Kuszczak 42), Albrechtsen, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Koumas, Wallwork, Scimeca (O'Connor 69), Gera, Kanu (Earnshaw 62), Campbell. Subs Not Used: Purse, Horsfield.

Booked: Campbell, Wallwork

Goals: Kanu 12.

Att: 27,860

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).