Full Throstle · https://thethrostle.news/opinion/were-albion-abject-at-wolves-absolutely-do-supporters-need-a-reality-check-absolutely-145798
Encouraging start despite Molineux no-show - but the next seven games hold the key to whether Albion slide or thrive
23.09.26, 18:00 Updated 25.09.26, 00:18 4 Minute Read
Re-establishing Albion as a Championship force will not be an easy fix for James Morrison nor owners Bilkul. It is understandable that fans were furious at the weak performance in derby day defeat to Wolves. But a strong dose of reality is required in the breathing space afforded by this three-week international break. The transformation of the squad has only just begun.
The newly-created play-off positions of 7th and 8th will have most clubs in the division eyeing the prize. The average points total in recent seasons for finishing 8th is 69, which is 18 more than Albion managed last season. After four wins in eight, fifteen more from 38 will put them in range. Is the gap bridgable? In Hindi, Bilkul means absolutely and many fans would use exactly that word as the answer to the question.
It's always difficult to say, but my view is the next seven matches before the November international break, will go a long way to deciding Albion's eventual fate this season. Home games against Blues, Blackburn, Southampton and Millwall; away trips to Wrexham, Preston and West Ham, are ahead.
And the issues raised in the Molineux no-show need to be settled in this sequence of matches. Like why did Morrison persist with left-back Callum Styles at right-back? Why not play Chris Mepham in central defence, if the intention is to play a passing game? Has Morrison got too many midfielders to choose from? And what the hell is wrong with last season’s top-scorer Aune Heggebo? The last thing the Albion manager needs is for his most experienced forward to go MIA, when everyone knows the squad is already one striker short.
The gulf in class and experience between the Black Country rivals was clearly evident. The pre-match table with Albion sitting fourth and Wolves ninth, indicated the gap wasn’t quite as big as it really is. But just consider this: Wolves starting XI contained players with 755 Premier League appearances between them. Albion’s total? 55. Their oldest player Conor Townsend, 33, has played 25 times in the PL; Wolves' youngest starter Mateus Mane, just 19, made 27 appearances last season.
Wolves rose to the big occasion; Albion shrank. Wolves had only three players with no big-game PL background. Albion had eight .. nine if you include Jayson Molumby who appeared in one PL game for Brighton as a sub.
But three factors outside of James Morrison’s control have affected his decision-making in the hectic stretch of matches leading up last weekend.
- Heggebo’s ridiculous two-game ban for ‘successful deception’ of the officials at Norwich. It looks increasingly like this punishment has flattened the Norwegian to such an extent he looks a pale shadow of the bustling presence he was last season. Even if he wasn’t scoring regularly, he would fight to keep possession and try to get his team-mates up the pitch. None of that attitude was there against Wolves. Morrison has a big decision to make against Blues on October 10. Unless Bo makes a massive improvement in training and in a friendly match the weekend after next, Barney Stewart should make his first start, simply because there is no-one else.
- The loss of Mikey Johnston through injury is a blow to the player and blew a hole in Morrison’s plans for variation. Heggebo in particular thrived on Johnson’s service last season; his short runs to the near post to meet accurate crosses, is the most impressive part of his game.
- Brayann Pereira’s red card at Derby. You could say it was a surprise Morrison picked the French defender for his debut in this game. But you’ve got to start somewhere and how was the manager to know Pereira would lose his head so quickly that his dismissal seemed inevitable from the start? The in-game decision to switch Styles to right-back and bring Townsend on at left back worked on the night. But in the following two games against QPR and Wolves, Albion definitely missed Styles’ link up with Price and JJM down the left flank. Expect Pereira to start against Birmingham.
The stats tell you Albion’s current place in a play-off position is fragile. They are low down on big chance creation and concede a lot of chances per game, having Max O’Leary’s superlative form to thank for not being punished more often. One argument is that Albion have maxed out on the number of points achieved - which is fair as the fortunate win at Norwich balanced out the point that should’ve been three at home to Charlton.
We've been here before of course, just last season in fact, before early autumn promise turned into winter discontent. There's every reason to believe Albion are made of different stuff under Morrison. The next block of games will be a great time to show it.
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Steve Tudgay
Editorwas a journalist for the Birmingham Evening Mail during the early 90s when West Brom were managed by Bobby Gould and Ossie Ardiles. You may remember him - he was the one banned by Gould! Since then he has worked in television for ITV Sport, Sky Sports and Premier League Productions.
