The Soccer Blog: Match Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City 20/11/10 15:00

Saturday, 20 November 2010

Match Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City 20/11/10 15:00

By: joehigginson | November 19th, 2010

It’s been nearly nine years since the last Staffordshire derby and with three divisions separating Stoke from the Vale, that drought looks almost certain to hit double figures. In the meantime, many Stoke fans will agree that West Bromwich Albion have comfortably filled the vacant position of local rivals. As a Stokey residing in the Black Country, this is a crucial fixture for me and I can testify that the recent bad blood between the two teams may hit new heights tomorrow.

Starting on a positive note, recent history tell us West Brom do not beat Stoke (for the superstitious amongst you, I’ll now take full responsibility if it goes tits up!). The Potters have won 3 of the last 4 and 16 of the last 25 games between the two (a run ironically following a 6-0 mauling by the Baggies). Looking at the present however, the Baggies look to mean business with what is comfortably their best team for a long time. Despite watching the inexperienced Paul Ince crash and burn following his meteoric rise through the managerial ranks, West Brom took a calculated risk instilling his MK Dons successor, the equally inexperienced Roberto DiMatteo, as manager. Although speaking from the outside, I can think of scarcely anything that will have concerned the boardroom since the appointment, such is the job the Italian has done. Fair enough, it was always likely West Brom would instantly bounce back, but DiMatteo’s dealings in the transfer market has added aggression, pace and strength in depth to an already talented group of players. Having recharged the batteries and rethought the strategy back in the Championship, there is a renewed togetherness and unity about the Baggies. Perhaps most importantly for West Brom this season though, is that the perception that they should perform comfortably in the Premier League has finally been shattered and that is undoubtedly a massive weight of the players.

Stoke and WBA categorically disagree with each other over playing style. In Stokes debut Premier League season, the Potters were widely criticised for their style of play by the purists despite its effectiveness. West Brom on the other hand, were applauded for maintaining the passing football which had demolished the majority of Championship outfits but now saw them languishing in the relegation zone. The debate between the two sets of fans has raged ever since over which policy deserves the greater consideration, playing football ‘the right way’ or securing top flight survival?

So looking at tomorrow, after an excellent run of form which saw the Baggies secure a stunning victory against Arsenal along with draws against Manchester United and Tottenham, their performances have dipped of late, losing three of the last four. Stoke on the other hand, finally looked to have turned a corner with back to back victories against Birmingham and Liverpool and come to come to the Hawthorns in search of a third straight league victory (a feat they’ve yet to achieve since returning to the Premier League). If both teams claim to be flexible, there will be little evidence of it on display tomorrow with both resolutely retaining the playing style they most think will precipitate success. West Brom are determined that style should overcome substance and Stoke fully understand this definitely isn’t the fixture to start experimenting, particularly away from the Britannia. The game will be a significant one for the Baggies. A win against their perennial bogey team will indicate exactly how far they’ve really come in their bid to toughen up and compete with the best while a loss, especially at home, will prove exactly how far they’ve still to go.

Stoke have no new injury concerns with Marc Wilson and Glenn Whelan returning unscathed from international duty. Tony Pulis will likely pick an unchanged side from the line-up that beat Liverpool last time out (with the possibility of Walters coming in for Fuller) so both will probably start from the bench. West Brom were not treated so kindly by the international fixtures with Chris Brunt picking up a knock while playing for Northern Ireland. Jonas Olsson remains injured but Gonzalo Jara is back in contention after serving his three match ban.

One to Watch: Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian is an obvious choice given his form since arriving in the summer, displaying blistering bursts of pace and cool finishing when required. Should he be employed on the right, Andy Wilkinson looks set to be the man charged with stopping him in what I believe will be a huge test of his credentials.

Good Omen: Stoke’s recent record against West Brom is near spotless

Bad Omen: … so the Baggies are more than overdue a win

Prediction: Making no bones about it, this will be a tight affair and I can’t see many goals. West Brom will dominate possession and Stoke will likely play deep in order to frustrate them. Could go either way so I think 1-1 is the fairest assessment

Category: Stoke Team News

Tags: Stoke Team News, West Bromwich Albion
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