Albion’s Promotion Challenge Season Comparison – 17 games

Published on: Author: Jon Want

What a difference a week makes – last Monday, the knives were out in force for Darren Moore after Albion had succumbed to defeat at Wigan in what was their worst performance of the season. Today, Big Dave is being lauded after the Baggies comfortably beat the side that had topped the table in what was undoubtedly their best display of the campaign.

Most will point to the change in system to a 4-3-3 as the reason for the change in fortunes but, while that was obviously a key element to the victory, Darren Moore had to do much more than that to coax this performance from a side that looked at rock bottom in terms of confidence last week.

The decision to start Hal Robson-Kanu, the much-maligned centre forward, proved to be a masterstroke. Most fans will have gasped in anguish to have seen his name on the teamsheet rather than the much-anticipated return of Dwight Gayle, but the Welshman was superb through the game. His strength and ability on the ball was excellent as he acted as the point man for the majority of Albion’s attacks, and his finish for the key opening goal was of the highest quality. We’ve seen HRK put good performances in before, although never of that quality in an Albion shirt, but his biggest problem is the ability to reproduce them on a regular basis.

Defensively, Albion were as solid as they have been all season with Ahmed Hegazi the stand out performer in the back line as he was back to his best in a familiar back four. Tosin looked far more comfortable at right back without the additional attacking responsibilities of being at wing back, and overall it was a defensive display that Tony Pulis would have been proud of. Albion’s share of possession at just 28% also harked back to the Pulis era, but this side was far more inventive and attacking, and their quick breaks and high pressing meant that they controlled the match despite being without the ball for so much of it.

The win moves Albion back into the top six ahead of the international break but still five points off the lead. It remains very tight at the top of the second tier, although not as tight as in 2001/02. After 17 games that season, Albion had one more point that this season but were down in 8th place but still only five points off top spot which was occupied by Wolverhampton Wanderers; and we all know which club went up that season.

Compare that to 2000/01 when Albion also had 28 points but were in 7th spot eleven points behind leaders, Watford, with second place Fulham already seven points clear of third-placed Birmingham City. Fulham won the league with 101 points while Watford finished 9th; there is a lot that can change between now and the end of the season.

Home Away Season End
Pld W D L F A Pts Posn* W D L F A Pts W D L F A Pts Posn Pts
2000/2001 17 8 4 5 19 19 28 7th 5 2 2 12 9 17 3 2 3 7 10 11 6th 74
2001/2002 17 9 2 6 21 16 29 8th 5 1 3 10 5 16 4 1 3 11 11 13 2nd 89
2003/2004 17 11 2 4 27 16 35 1st 6 1 2 13 6 19 5 1 2 14 10 16 2nd 86
2006/2007 17 7 5 5 28 19 26 6th 5 2 1 17 8 17 2 3 4 11 11 9 4th 76
2007/2008 17 9 4 4 35 16 31 2nd 6 3 0 19 4 21 3 1 4 16 12 10 1st 81
2009/2010 17 10 4 3 35 15 34 1st 6 1 2 21 7 19 4 3 1 14 8 15 2nd 91
2018/2019 17 8 4 5 37 25 28 5th 6 1 2 26 13 19 2 3 3 11 12 9

 
 

Results

2000/2001 04/11/2000 Burnley (H) D 1-1 Roberts
2001/2002 04/11/2001 Nottingham Forest (H) W 1-0 Rosler
2003/2004 08/11/2003 West Ham United (A) W 4-3 Hulse (2), Deane (o.g.), Hughes
2006/2007 11/11/2006 Norwich City (H) L 0-1
2007/2008 25/11/2007 Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) D 0-0
2009/2010 21/11/2009 Bristol City (H) W 4-1 Thomas, Brunt, Carey (o.g.), Cox
2018/2019 10/11/2018 Leeds United (H) W 4-1 Robson-Kanu, Phillips, Barnes, Gayle

 

Next Matches

2000/2001 11/11/2000 Huddersfield Town (A) W 2-0 Jordão, Hughes
2001/2002 07/11/2001 Birmingham City (A) W 1-0 Johnson
2003/2004 22/11/2003 Reading (H) D 0-0
2006/2007 18/11/2006 Burnley (H) W 3-0 Koumas, Ellington, Carter
2007/2008 28/11/2007 Plymouth Argyle (A) W 2-1 Bednar (2)
2009/2010 28/11/2009 Sheffield Wednesday (A) W 4-0 Cox (2), Thomas, Brunt
2018/2019 23/11/2018 Ipswich Town (A)