BLACK COUNTRY IS OURS: BAGGIES 2, DINGLES 0.
THE BLACK COUNTRYS OURS
The tension of a Black Country derby with a high noon kick off was heightened by the Baggies starting in the bottom 3 and Wolves having lost the previous 4 in a row. The drama of the situation did not affect the Baggies faithful who were magnificent throughout, giving the team the impetus needed to deliver an emphatic professional performance on the pitch.
After an evenly fought first 10 minutes Tchoyi’s persistence and a great ball inside the full back gave Billy Jones on his debut the chance to roll the ball into Chris Brunt’s path and his trusty left foot found the roof of the net. Wolves came back into it for the remainder of the first half, but our much improved defence allowed them few opportunities to get an equaliser. Our game plan was to soak up the pressure and break quickly through the magnificent Shane Long who was a constant threat to the Wolves defence. I must admit I would rather see us more in possession but we were good on the break and created some good chances.
Baggies started the second half much better with Scharner who was off the pace in the first half putting in an all energy 45 minutes which allowed us to control the game; limiting Wolves to few opportunities although Johnson should have done better with a back post header. He was lucky to be on the pitch as replays showed he had clearly fouled Long when he was last man but not even a foul was given. What we needed was another goal.
Cometh the moment cometh the man, when Odemwingie replaced a tiring Somen Tchoyi, who had been a thorn in the Wolves defence. The reception he got from the Hawthorns faithful surely told him that they know form is temporary but class is permanent. They only stopped chanting his name when he scored the second goal within 3 minutes of coming on.
Picking up a clever backheel from Scharner and slotting the ball into the bottom corner to send the Baggies faithful into wild celebrations. The final 15 minutes were the Peter Odemwingie show. Shane Long had spent the first 70 minutes running the Wolves defence ragged leaving Peter to deliver the knockout punch. The sight of Odemwingie bowing to the Brummie Road end at the final whistle as they once again chanted his name showed all Albion fans the mutual respect between them.
An all round excellent team Performance. McCauley man of the match shading Shane Long who gave a great display up front. So good in the air as well he reminds me of The King who had the ability to jump early as well. Also deserving of a special mention Billy Jones on his debut, Mulumbu back to his best, Foster and Olsson at the back.
Did I miss anyone? We can get better but lets enjoy the moment,bring on the Villa!!
