West Bromwich – Safe under Hodgson’s leadership
By David, BettingExpert.com | Published
Di Matteo’s football was very entertaining but the all-out attacking style turned out to bring along damage rather than simple collateral damage in the long run. Hodgson’s more cautious approach allowed for more equilibrium and since he took over the troops performed very well, securing safety quicker than other candidates for relegation. How will that formula work out for the Baggies this year?
Manager: Hodgson
Tactics: 4-5-1
Players In: McAuley, Gera, Foster, Billy Jones, Long, Fulop
Players Out: Myhill, Carson, Meite
Current Probable Formation: Foster, B. Jones, Tamas, Olsson, Shorey, Brunt, Tchoyi, Mulumbu, Morrison, J. Thomas, Odemwingie
West Brom’s goals conceded record was worse only in comparison to Blackpool’s last season. Despite Hodgson’s reorganization of defence they still only managed one clean sheet, matching Di Matteo’s best when still in charge at the start of the campaign.
The team will need time to effectively set up better defensive tactics but it does seem that it is simply not in their blood to board up the backdoor well enough. The only reinforcements for defence have been McAuley and Billy Jones, who should be the new team right-back. Shorey keeps his place as left-back where he can guarantee good runs and some danger crosses in the box.
Tamas and Olsson are the central pair and the second signing at the back this summer, McAuley, last season with Ipswich Town, should be a good alternative to them. Cech, Jara, Ibanez and Hurst complete the line. All in all for a team of the calibre of West Bromwich Albion the quality of players available at the back is good enough.
The attacking department was not as rich before Hodgson could count on ex-Reading striker Shane Long. As last season, though, it should be Odemwingie who makes all the difference for the Baggies in attack. He has the touch a real goalscorer should have and will be counted on to rescue the team’s fortunes once again this year. Long should be the first striker on the list as Odemwingie’s reserve and with Fortune and Cox there should be quite enough resources for a team playing with a 4-5-1 line-up.
Both starting goalkeepers have been changed with Foster and Fulop replacing Carson and Myhill. A number of blunders by last year’s starters, as the managers alternated between the two in search of the least debilitating alternative, cost the team points. Management was adamant not to let any points slip by due to such mistakes this year. Foster should be the number one option and Fulop his second.
As in any team playing with one striker midfielders should give more than a helping hand in getting the goals. The likes of Mulumbu, Tchoyi, Morrison, Brunt, Scharner and Thomas all have goals in them. New man Gera should be a good addition to the team and with Reid and Dorrans Hodgson has a relatively good midfield he can count on.
Predicted finishing position: 12th
West Bromwich made good moves on the market seeking to strengthen a position which was last season’s weakest link, the goalkeeper, and bringing in two good defenders and a midfielder, along with a reserve striker who can be relied upon. They will be one of the most underestimated teams and although their ambitions are not high their underdog status can help them surprise many distracted sides believing it to be a walk in the park when they come to face West Brom. Expect a strong start and some realistic chances of making it amongst the top ten.
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