COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: West Brom (A)

By Ken Buckley   ::  01/01/2012 Happy New Year, and an away win to greet it. 12-30 ko was a bit cruel on the fans many of which had travelled straight from the festivities. Dog tired and hung over needs some recuperation time. The players did their bit especially in the first half by producing a soporific performance that allowed for a bit of sleep catch up.

Team was texted through and no Drenthe in sight but replaced by Rodwell and the subs bench showed Victor was back.

That first half was one of those that has fans saying things like ?This has got 0-0 written all over it?. It seemed like a contest between two teams determined not to lose at any cost which rendered any entertainment value at a premium. There was sporadic forays forward by both teams and the Blues seemed more enterprising than the hosts.

However on 15mins the first real chance of the match came for the hosts en Brunt put in a cross that Long headed over but Howard seemed to have it covered anyway. Heitinga again in mid-field produced a fine tackle to halt a good and dangerous run into the box. The first real threat from the Blues came when Osman took a corner that Saha and the keeper challenged for and the keeper could only flap it down and the lurking Rodwell shot with power but his effort was blocked by someone in a packed area.

The Blues looked to be getting on top now but without that cutting edge that can unlock packed defences. Baines was raiding with pace and purpose and was unlucky when after taking a corner that was not cleared properly he regained the ball and raced into the box and had a fierce shot blocked. Then from a Baines free kick the ball screwed across the area to the unmarked Saha but his attempt was woeful and the ball screwed well wide when the Saha of yesteryear would have registered. The half then sort of meandered to the whistle with only a Jags shot being screwed wide from another Baines cross and Rodwell heading a good chance wide from a Baines corner. The half had also been notable for how quiet it was in there you could hear orders from the bench from time to time.

The second half started with more tempo especially from the home side and just minutes in Odemwingie seemed to bisect Jags and Distin and get onto a long through ball and with just Howard to beat he whacked it well over Then the same player and then Brunt both fired wide as we were pushed back. The manager noted this and responded on the hour mark and within the space of about just 5mins THREE subs had been made. Gueye, Stracqualursi and Anichebe replaced Rodwell Neville and Saha. Tactical subs but I think in Rodwell?s case it was to not aggravate his hamstring after a lay off.

For the first time the faithful woke up and started to roar and sing and shout. Gueye responded with some direct runs and one crisp shot that the keeper saved low down at his post. Big Vic and Denis closed down quickly and ran the channels causing unrest in a defence when none had been there before. They were causing the fans to roar them on which must have been music to Vic?s ears as he is usually getting ?down the banks?.

The clock was ticking down and we were attacking more and more but just could not find a way through. Then just before the board went up Osman with some delightful control and quick feet left three defenders out of the game and fed a delicious curved pass to Hibbert who had strode forward and offered for the pass. His cross was deep to the far post but it was a WBA head that got to it first but could only direct the ball back into the six yard box and into a plethora of players, first to react was Big Vic who appeared from nowhere, swivelled 180 degrees and planted the ball into the net. Oh the joy, thousands jumped up as one and fans and players were ecstatic. All the chants and songs came now, ?Kopites are Gobshites? was heard as was ?Davys? song.

We saw out the remaining time plus three added mins and celebrated all over again at the whistle. Players turned up and threw their ?Old Gold? shirts into the first rows causing mini tug o war battles to ensue. What had started out as anything but a decent day out was ended by scenes reminiscent of winning something. I guess it is just great when you win and the raking over the coals can wait for another time.

MotM ? Baines who I thought shaded it from Distin who also had a very good game . Baines for me was the creator and the player who injected pace in the final third and all from left back. Also a mention for the manager today who I thought got most things right especially the subs and their timing.
Overall nothing to write home about but the introduction of the three subs showed how a crowd can be brought to life and become something of a ?twelfth? man.

Without being anything special they all tried and fought and ran and didn?t give up which immediately transmitted to the faithful who woke as though being prodded with a red hot poker from a hangover stupor. The answer to rousing Goodison from library status is in there. Today I was sad to see the performance of Saha. I remember him in his pomp and his current display?s are far from that which I find quite sad and it?s hard to see him regaining that form of yesterday.

Games come thick and fast so it?s back to Goodison Wednesday and play Bolton. Landon will be available and if he plays from the start lets hope he his the Landon we remember from last time. A game coming this quick leaves fans hoping for good news on the injury front and the strongest team possible available.

From today it looked like it was only Rodwell who may be a doubt but Cahill took some knocks and one mistimed header seemed to leave him dazed but we will find out soon enough.

See you Wednesday and may 2012 be kind to you and yours.
UP THE BLUES

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