Karl Henry Does Not Deserve to be Singled Out by the Molineux Moaners
by John PercyFiled under: West Brom, Wolverhampton, Premier League, Football
As one of the few players at Molineux to have actually been born in Wolverhampton, Karl Henry will have found last Saturday afternoon a particularly chastening experience.
Henry has come to epitomise the spirit and never-say-die attitude of Mick McCarthy's squad of battlers ever since promotion to the Premier League.
By his own admission, the midfielder is not one of the most talented players in the dressing room but manages to make the best out of what he has got to prove his undoubted worth to McCarthy.
Those qualities have been recognised and admired by supporters but on Saturday, as Wolves crashed to another home defeat, Henry became the preferred target for the Molineux moaners.
When his number came up, leading to his subsequent removal from the field, he was 'cheered' by frustrated fans and Henry's trudge to the dug-out must have seemed to take an eternity.
Negativity is impossible to remove during difficult runs of results but it was indeed a surprise that Henry should become such a focal point for abuse.
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Henry was no worse than anybody else in an appalling Wolves performance and his treatment will not have done the team any favours or reflected well on the home support.
His Wolves team-mate Jamie O'Hara made his feelings known after the defeat to Newcastle on his Twitter account by writing: "Thought it was shocking that the fans cheered Karl off today. A player that gives everything deserves better from our fans.
"It's a long season and the fans should get behind the team. We are still improving and that takes time. When they got behind us we were good and created chances. Come on Wolves' fans, we need your support. It doesn't do anyone any good booing us."
McCarthy refused to expand on the matter too much in his post-match media conference but his fury was clear for everybody to see. He actually stopped himself from wading into what is fast becoming the pub debate in that particular part of the Black Country.
But with McCarthy being the way he is, you wouldn't be surprised if Karl Henry was the first name on the team sheet in the next game.
Sunderland 2 West Brom 2: Nicklas Bendtner Inspires Black Cats’ Fightback
by Jason MellorFiled under: Sunderland, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Under-pressure Steve Bruce saw his Sunderland side fight back from a two-goal deficit given up inside the opening five minutes to earn a gutsy point at the Stadium of Light.
Early efforts from James Morrison and Shane Long put West Brom in control, to spark cries of "Bruce out" from disgruntled home fans.
But the jeers soon turned to cheers with goals in the space of three minutes mid-way through the half as Nicklas Bendtner opened his account on loan from Arsenal, before a bullet header from Ahmed Elmohamady dragged the hosts level.
The second-half was never going to match the first for drama, as the sides settled for a share of the spoils to leave them each with a modest return of a single victory from their opening seven league games.
Lee Cattermole was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card for a horror challenge on Albion defender Steven Reid. The Sunderland skipper was hauled off for his own protection by Bruce soon afterwards.
THE GOALS
4 mins: Sunderland fail to deal with a routine free-kick into the box from Chris Brunt, and Morrison is left with a free header to glance the ball past a stranded Simon Mignolet (0-1).
5 mins: Long races on to a loose ball to easily hold off Michael Turner before slotting the ball past Mignolet (0-2).
23 mins: Bendtner opens his account on loan from Arsenal with a cool close-range finish after good work from Seb Larsson (1-2).
27 mins: Bendtner's inviting cross from the left is met be a towering header from Elmohamady from 10 yards (2-2).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
12 mins: Cries of "Bruce out" from home fans ring round the ground.
14 mins: Sunderland show their first signs of life as Bendtner forces a save from Ben Foster.
15 mins: They're soon on the back foot as Mignolet is forced to beat out a venomous long-range drive from Morrison.
20 mins: Larsson has the ball in the Albion net, but is a yard offside when he deflects home a Stephane Sessegnon shot.
35 mins: Foster saves well from Bendtner, who shoots on the turn from 25 yards.
37 mins: Jonas Olsson aims a far psot header wide from Brunt's corner when it looked easier to score.
48 mins: Wes Brown heads weakly wide when meeting Larsson's free-kick six yards out.
59 mins: Foster saves with his knee from Elmohamady after neat build-up play by Sessegnon.
65 mins: Cattermole lucky to escape a second yellow for a horrible challenge on Reid. The Sunderland skipper is hauled off by Bruce soon afterwards.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Sunderland's stirring fight-back buys Bruce a little more time but Roy Hodgson must wonder how his side let a comfortable two-goal lead slip to see them have to settle for a share of the spoils.
UP NEXT: ALL THE REACTION
SUNDERLAND 2 (Bendtner 23, Elmohamady 27) WEST BROM 2 (Morrison 4, Long 5)
PLAYER MARKING:
Sunderland (4-4-2): Mignolet 6; O'Shea 6, Turner 4, Brown 4, Richardson 5; Elmohamady 7 (Ji 82, 6), Cattermole 6 (Colback 70, 6) Gardner 6 (Meyler 90, 5), Larsson 7; Sessegnon 6, Bendtner 7.
Subs (not used): Westwood, McClean, Cook, Laing.
West Brom (4-4-2): Foster 6; Reid 5, McAuley 6, Olsson 6, Shorey 6; Brunt 7, Mulumbu 5 (Scharner 74, 6), Dorrans 6 (Thomas 88, 5), Morrison 7; Long 7, Odemwingie 4.
Subs (not used): Fulop, Jones, Tamas, Tchoyi, Cox.
REFEREE: Lee Mason
ATTENDANCE: 34,815
NEXT UP:
- Sunderland v Arsenal (away), Premier League, 16/10/11, 1330 BST
- West Brom v Wolves (home), Premier League, 16/10/11, 1200 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Nicklas Bendtner (Sunderland): Opened his Sunderland account in fine style, and could have had more with a little more luck. Led the line superbly.
Sunderland v West Brom Preview: Angry Steve Bruce ‘Let Down’ by Titus Bramble
by Jason MellorFiled under: Sunderland, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Previews, Team Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: STADIUM OF LIGHT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST.
Steve Bruce has delivered a damning assessment of Titus Bramble, the Sunderland defender who has been suspended by the club following his arrest on suspicion of sexual assault and drug possession.
Bruce reminded his players of their responsibilities as role models after admitting he felt 'let down' by the 30-year-old.
"It's what's football management's all about unfortunately," Bruce said.
Bramble was detained by Cleveland police early on Wednesday and questioned over an alleged sexual assault and possession of a Class A drug. He was later released on police bail.
He has been suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation by Stadium of Light chiefs, which also includes his exclusion from training with his teammates.
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Bruce added: "I'm sure you're aware there's a police investigation going on and obviously I'm restricted to what I can say. But for me the big disappointment was that he shouldn't have been there in the first place.
"With the rewards footballers get, there has to be a responsibility, a moral responsibility. I don't think that footballers should be in nightclubs on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, especially after you've just been beaten at Norwich and with how badly he performed.
"If it was me, I'd be locking myself away for 48 hours and burying my head and making sure when training comes around I go and perform better than I did on Monday and put it right. That's where unfortunately they let themselves down.
"That's the disappointing thing for me but that's what football's become. With the rewards they have, they have to show a bit more responsibility."
Despite his clear disappointment with Bramble, a player he has signed twice in his management career, Bruce insisted the club's off-the-field worries will not distracting him from the task of turning round what has been a disappointing start to the season.
He added: "Nothing will derail me. I've been doing this job a long time and I've been let down many times by certain players. It makes me even more determined through adversity. I sometimes scratch my head and think what the hell am I doing it for? But it's what football management is now.
"The vast majority of players come from a working class background and most of them remember their roots and have a respect for the people who're still there. The players are alienating the working class people who follow the game."
Even before the Bramble incident, with almost indecent haste, the pressure had been piled back on an increasingly beleaguered Sunderland manager.
West Bromwich Albion may arrive at the Stadium of Light a point and five places worse-off than their hosts. But in comparison, the scrutiny which his opposite number Roy Hodgson has been placed under has been minimal.
In defence of the avuncular Albion manager, whose side occupy an uncomfortable position in the bottom three in the embryonic Premier League table, he hasn't had a second annual £40 million summer warchest with which to bolster his squad. Bruce has.
In addition, Hodgson's record in the latter third of last season was nowhere as abject as that of Bruce, who is back under the spotlight not so much for the 2-1 defeat at Norwich, more due to the latest no-show from many of his players.
A paltry four victories in their last 24 matches in all competitions hardly helps Bruce's cause.
Such is his current predicament, only Blackburn's Steve Kean is shorter odds to be the next Premier League manager relieved of his duties. Yes, things are that bad.
Key Match-Up: Wes Brown v Peter Odemwingie: Bruce is among a number of Premier League managers to have monitored the Nigerian before Albion were handsomely rewarded for taking the plunge last year. Brown has been one of Sunderland's better performers so far this season, but hasn't been immune from the occasional lapse.
Form Guide: Form guide? More like lack of form guide. These sides have won just twice between them in 12 league outings combined so far this season, suggesting the smart money is on the shares being spoiled at the weekend.
Match Odds: Sunderland 2/1, West Brom 7/2, Draw 10/3
Sunderland v West Brom Preview: Pressure Quickly Back on Steve Bruce
by Jason MellorFiled under: Sunderland, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Previews, Team Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: STADIUM OF LIGHT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST.
Well, that was short-lived, wasn't it? With almost indecent haste, the pressure is back on an increasingly beleaguered Steve Bruce.
West Bromwich Albion may arrive at the Stadium of Light a point and five places worse-off than their hosts.
But in comparison, the scrutiny which his opposite number Roy Hodgson has been placed under has been minimal.
In defence of the avuncular Albion manager, whose side occupy an uncomfortable position in the bottom three in the embryonic Premier League table, he hasn't had a second annual £40 million summer warchest with which to bolster his squad. Bruce has.
In addition, Hodgson's record in the latter third of last season was nowhere as abject as that of Bruce, who is back under the spotlight not so much for the 2-1 defeat at Norwich, more due to the latest no-show from many of his players.
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A paltry four victories in their last 24 matches in all competitions hardly helps Bruce's cause.
Such is his current predicament, only Blackburn's Steve Kean is shorter odds to be the next Premier League manager relieved of his duties. Yes, things are that bad.
Key Match-Up: Wes Brown v Peter Odemwingie: Bruce is among a number of Premier League managers to have monitored the Nigerian before Albion were handsomely rewarded for taking the plunge last year. Brown has been one of Sunderland's better performers so far this season, but hasn't been immune from the occasional lapse.
Form Guide: Form guide? More like lack of form guide. These sides have won just twice between them in 12 lague outings combined so far this season, suggesting the smart money is on the shares being spoiled at the weekend.
Match Odds: Sunderland 2/1, West Brom 7/2, Draw 10/3
Sunderland v West Brom Preview: Pressure Quickly Back on Steve Bruce
by Jason MellorFiled under: Sunderland, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Previews, Team Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: STADIUM OF LIGHT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST.
Well, that was short-lived, wasn't it? With almost indecent haste, the pressure is back on an increasingly beleaguered Steve Bruce.
West Bromwich Albion may arrive at the Stadium of Light a point and five places worse-off than their hosts.
But in comparison, the scrutiny which his opposite number Roy Hodgson has been placed under has been minimal.
In defence of the avuncular Albion manager, whose side occupy an uncomfortable position in the bottom three in the embryonic Premier League table, he hasn't had a second annual £40 million summer warchest with which to bolster his squad. Bruce has.
In addition, Hodgson's record in the latter third of last season was nowhere as abject as that of Bruce, who is back under the spotlight not so much for the 2-1 defeat at Norwich, more due to the latest no-show from many of his players.
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A paltry four victories in their last 24 matches in all competitions hardly helps Bruce's cause.
Such is his current predicament, only Blackburn's Steve Kean is shorter odds to be the next Premier League manager relieved of his duties. Yes, things are that bad.
Key Match-Up: Wes Brown v Peter Odemwingie: Bruce is among a number of Premier League managers to have monitored the Nigerian before Albion were handsomely rewarded for taking the plunge last year. Brown has been one of Sunderland's better performers so far this season, but hasn't been immune from the occasional lapse.
Form Guide: Form guide? More like lack of form guide. These sides have won just twice between them in 12 lague outings combined so far this season, suggesting the smart money is on the shares being spoiled at the weekend.
Match Odds: Sunderland 2/1, West Brom 7/2, Draw 10/3
Sunderland v West Brom Preview: Pressure Quickly Back on Steve Bruce
by Jason MellorFiled under: Sunderland, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Previews, Team Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: STADIUM OF LIGHT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST.
Well, that was short-lived, wasn't it? With almost indecent haste, the pressure is back on an increasingly beleaguered Steve Bruce.
West Bromwich Albion may arrive at the Stadium of Light a point and five places worse-off than their hosts.
But in comparison, the scrutiny which his opposite number Roy Hodgson has been placed under has been minimal.
In defence of the avuncular Albion manager, whose side occupy an uncomfortable position in the bottom three in the embryonic Premier League table, he hasn't had a second annual £40 million summer warchest with which to bolster his squad. Bruce has.
In addition, Hodgson's record in the latter third of last season was nowhere as abject as that of Bruce, who is back under the spotlight not so much for the 2-1 defeat at Norwich, more due to the latest no-show from many of his players.
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A paltry four victories in their last 24 matches in all competitions hardly helps Bruce's cause.
Such is his current predicament, only Blackburn's Steve Kean is shorter odds to be the next Premier League manager relieved of his duties. Yes, things are that bad.
Key Match-Up: Wes Brown v Peter Odemwingie: Bruce is among a number of Premier League managers to have monitored the Nigerian before Albion were handsomely rewarded for taking the plunge last year. Brown has been one of Sunderland's better performers so far this season, but hasn't been immune from the occasional lapse.
Form Guide: Form guide? More like lack of form guide. These sides have won just twice between them in 12 lague outings combined so far this season, suggesting the smart money is on the shares being spoiled at the weekend.
Match Odds: Sunderland 2/1, West Brom 7/2, Draw 10/3
West Brom 0 Fulham 0: Cottagers Frustrated as Winless Run Continues
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Fulham, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
West Brom were booed off despite climbing off the bottom after escaping with a plucky point against Roy Hodgson's former club Fulham.
Despite the absence of Bobby Zamora, the Cottagers, who remain without a win in the Premier League this season, twice hit the woodwork at The Hawthorns but were unable to force their way through in what was a low-key affair.
The Baggies hit the woodwork themselves in injury-time when Chris Brunt's low drive hit the left post but it was not to be their day.
The point was enough to move the Baggies above Bolton, however Hodgson will have been left unimpressed by another poor display from his struggling team.
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THE HIGHLIGHTS:
2 mins: Nicky Shorey swings in an inviting cross from the left but Brunt's powerful header is too close to Mark Schwarzer.
8 mins: Gareth McAuley is alert to the danger to block a vicious Orlando Sa volley.
11 mins: Schwarzer is down quickly to his right to hold Youssouf Mulumbu's stinging low drive from 25 yards.
12 mins: Ben Foster can count himself lucky after he calamitously spills Clint Dempsey's shot straight to Pajtim Kasami only for his close-range strike to be ruled out for the most marginal of offsides.
48 mins: Dempsey's shot takes a wicked deflection off Jonas Olsson and cannons off the upright.
63 mins: Peter Odemwingie is sent clean through by Mulumbu's pass but, much to the home fans' despair, he fires straight at Schwarzer.
68 mins: Fulham substitute Bryan Ruiz almost scores with his first touch when he reacts first to John Arne Riise's spilt free-kick five minutes later only to fire against the right post.
90 mins: The Baggies hit the woodwork themselves in injury-time when Chris Brunt's low drive cannons off the left post.
West Brom v Fulham Preview: Roy Hodgson Focuses on League Form
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Fulham, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: THE HAWTHORNS, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
He might have failed to win over the Liverpool supporters during his time at Anfield, but Roy Hodgson can this weekend look forward to a warm reception from opposition fans, never mind those of his own team.
West Brom have not made the start Hodgson would have desired after losing four of their first five Premier League matches - as well as crashing out of the Carling Cup in extra-time against Everton in midweek.
However, having rescued the Baggies from the brink last season, eventually leading them up to a creditable 11th position, the veteran manager still has plenty of credit left in the bank with the Albion faithful.
If he is popular at The Hawthorns, then Hodgson holds legendary status at Fulham having pulled off another escape act at Craven Cottage as well as leading them to the Europa League final two years ago.
Martin Jol is finding out just how good a job Hodgson did with his Cottagers team having made a slow start to the season too.
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Like West Brom, they have managed just three points from their first five matches and are out of the Carling Cup following defeat on penalties to rivals Chelsea.
Key Match-Up: Craig Dawson v Bobby Zamora: Dawson was one of the few positives to come out of last weekend's dire display against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium and, with Gabriel Tamas suspended once again, looks set to leep his place in the team. He will face one of the toughest tests of his career on Saturday, however, with in-form Zamora lying in wait. The England international has started the season strongly with four goals already to his name - including two in the last four matches.
Form Guide: This has not been the start Hodgson would have hoped for after just one league win all term and they hit a new low last weekend after a 3-0 humbling at Swansea. Fulham, too, have struggled but last weekend's fightback to draw 2-2 against Manchester City will have restored some confidence.
Odds: West Brom 25/19, Fulham 23/10, Draw 12/5
WEST BROM:
Despite leading until the final two minutes of normal time, Hodgson admitted he was "not particularly sad" over their extra-time Carling Cup exit with the league being very much his priority.
"It is very easy to draw a line under this and move on," said Hodgson. "Any game you lose, even if it's in extra-time after a good performance, you don't feel great about it but on the other hand our priority is the league.
"Our goal is not to win the League Cup, it is to get another season in the Premier League and, to be quite frank, it can be counter-productive for teams like ourselves.
"I couldn't have asked for more than the players gave and had we won it we would have been happy.
"But losing it in the way we did doesn't make me particularly sad.
Strategy: One way or another, expect Hodgson to make changes from the team humbled by Swansea last weekend. Chris Brunt and Graham Dorrans both came off the bench and impressed in the second half and could be drafted in, while Somen Tchoyi's performance at Everton could persuade Hodgson to stick with the 4-3-3 formation used in the Carling Cup as opposed to the 4-4-2 used in the Premier League of late.
Injury Update: Jonas Olsson is expected to recover from the cramp which ruled him out of Wednesday's Everton match. Zoltan Gera (knee) remains a major doubt to face his old club.
FULHAM:
Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell is wary of facing a Baggies team desperate to kick-start their season with a win.
"They're a good solid side," he said on official website fulhamfc.com. "Results haven't gone for them recently but the table doesn't lie, we're both down there and it's a big game even though it's early on in the season.
"As the years go by and the Premier League gets stronger, three points is harder to come by - there are no gifts in this league so we have to work hard to get every point.
"The Hawthorns is always a tough place to go, I've played there before and with them being at the bottom of the table their crowd's going to be right behind them and getting their players motivated.
"But that's an incentive for us to go there, quieten the home fans down a bit and try and stamp our authority on the game."
Sidwell was encouraged by taking Chelsea to penalties in the midweek Carling Cup clash.
"Everyone that came in had a point to prove to the manager," he said. "The performance is going to give the manager a selection headache for future games - but it's great for him to know that if there are injures or if he wants to rest or rotate the team, we have players who can come in and perform at that level."
Stategy: Jol gives his team license to attack, even if it has been their downfall at times this season. They were tighter under Hodgson but it has made for exciting matches at the start of Jol's reign.
Injury Update: Aaron Hughes is the main concern as he has a knee injury. Dickson Etuhu, Simon Davies and Andrew Johnson are out.
Roy Hodgson Has to Find A Solution And Get Graeme Dorrans Back to His Best
by Ian EdwardsFiled under: West Brom, Premier League, Football
Graeme Dorrans found himself with a rare starting role for West Bromwich Albion in the Carling Cup defeat against Everton.
He was part of an experimental return to a 4-5-1 formation for manager Roy Hodgson after virtually slipping off the radar towards the end of last season because of injury and family problems.
For several weeks now Albion supporters have been desperate for Hodgson to find a place in the team for the midfielder who was the shining light under Roberto Di Matteo's charge back into the Premier League.
It was only a little over a year ago that Albion chairman Jeremy Peace was turning down bids of £4m from West Ham for the Scotland international who was tipped to be the next big thing at the Hawthorns.
But one look back at Dorrans' first experience of the Premier League, 27 appearances and one goal, leaves the simple conclusion that he has failed to live up to expectations after scoring 21 goals in Albion's Championship promotion campaign.
It is often the case that players' reputations increase while they are kicking their heels on the substitutes bench and their team mates are struggling to deliver results.
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And that is certainly the case with Dorrans, who raised ironic cheers from Albion supporters when he emerged as a late substitute in the recent 1-0 home defeat against Stoke City.
The feeling is among fans that the player snapped up for a measly £100,000 from Scottish club Livingstone is hugely under-used and apparently under-valued by Hodgson.
The more likely answer to the conundrum is that Hodgson does not believe the midfielder is disciplined enough to operate in his midfield system, now that Peter Odemwingie has been given an out-and-out strike partner in Shane Long.
Dorrans on pure ability would be able to command one of the two central midfield roles currently occupied by Youssouf Mulumbu and Paul Scharner, but whether he can curtail his natural attacking instincts to provide the kind of defensive screen Hodgson wants for his back four is another matter.
Moving an extra body into midfield, would mean sacrificing the pairing of Odemwingie and Long, something which Hodgson is loathed to do, given the expensive transfer fee paid for the Republic of Ireland international and the hefty new contract handed to Odemwingie.
But it appears something has to give to find a place in the side for someone with Dorrans vision and ability to pick a pass, as well as his dead-ball expertise and goalscoring abilities.
Dorrans also has to prove he is worthy of that place and Hodgson is still waiting to see it, but the manager will have been encouraged by signs at Everton and maybe another start is in the offing against Fulham.
Swansea 3 West Brom 0: Scott Sinclair Inspires Swans to First Premier League Win
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: West Brom, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Swansea scored their first goals, and collected their first win of the new Premier League season, after easing past West Brom.
Scott Sinclair's early penalty broke the deadlock as the Welsh side found the net for the first time in more than six hours of top-flight football.
Leroy Lita extended their lead before half-time when he headed home after a well-worked corner.
Nathan Dyer's 49th-minute strike made sure of the points as he punished further poor defending from the Baggies after the break.
THE GOALS:
14mins: Sinclair sends Ben Foster the wrong way from the penalty spot after Joe Allen is hauled down by Paul Scharner's clumsy tackle. (1-0)
24mins: Poor marking sees Sinclair find room to head Mark Gower's corner into the path of Lita who powers home from close-range. (2-0)
49mins: Dyer makes the most of poor defending as he collects Lita's flick-on and drills home through Foster's legs. (3-0)
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
4mins: Sinclair scuffs his shot wide after latching on to Youssouf Mulumu's error.
22mins: Shane Long is presented with a gift after latching onto Neil Taylor's poor pass, but blazes over the crossbar.
32mins: Long's shot is palmed over by Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
34mins: Ashley Williams is fortunate to escape without conceding a penalty after the ball struck his hand after going to ground in a tackle.
56mins: Peter Odemwingie shoots over the crossbar in a rare flowing move from West Brom.
60mins: Chris Brunt sees his header rightly ruled out after straying offside.
65mins: James Morrison's free-kick is tipped over by Vorm.
83mins: A sickening clash of heads between Taylor and Odemwingie sees the Swansea defender carried off on a stretcher after lengthy treatment.
REACTION:
Brendan Rodgers was relieved to see his Swansea side get off the mark:
"I thought we thoroughly deserved to win, it was a very complete performance. We have now had three clean sheets in five games and we got the rub of the green at the other end. I thought our composure was good and were patient which helped us."
On maintaining their playing style:
"We wanted to play the same way and the only way we know, and I thought we did that. It settled the crowd and I thought that some of our play against a very good side with a top class manager, that was a real credit to us."
On the emotional week for him and his club:
"It's not been an easy week but I'm back to work now. My thoughts go out to the families of the miners and this was for them."
Roy Hodgson admitted defensive errors cost his West Brom side dearly:
"I thought we played poorly but Swansea played very well. We were below what I expect us to achieve. The goals we conceded were defensive errors. It started with Paul Scharner's tackle for the penalty, which was ill-advised. We had to show character in the second-half and three minutes later we concede again."
On the result:
"I have no complaints. The only positive is that we kept going and didn't capitulate, but the result never looked in danger."
On their start to the season:
"It's too early to look at dips in form. It's one game and you will have bad days. You will have days when you lose unluckily, like the Stoke game, and when you deserve to like here."
On the sickening clash of heads between Taylor and Odemwingie:
"It was a clash of heads. It was unfortunate, but nothing more than an accident."
WHAT IT MEANS: How Swansea needed this win to get their season going. It was always likely once one goal went in, then more would follow. But they wouldn't have expected to have scored three times and have it so easy against a poor West Brom side who failed to turn up. The Baggies were second best all afternoon but they didn't help themselves with their woeful defending. They managed to escape against another of the promoted sides in Norwich last time out, but there was no such luck here. On this evidence, they will be in for a long season after this lacklustre showing.
SWANSEA 3 (Sinclair 14 pen, Lita 24, Dyer 49) WEST BROM 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Swansea (4-3-3): Vorm 6; Rangel 7, Monk 7, Williams 7, Taylor 6 (Bessone 85, 6); Britton 8, Gower 7, Allen 6, Dyer 7 (Routledge 70, 6), Sinclair 8, Lita 7 (Moore 70, 6).
Subs not used: Tremmel, Dobbie, Richards, Lucas.
West Brom (4-4-2): Foster 5; Reid 5, Dawson 5, Olsson 5, Shorey 6; Morrison 5, Mulumbu 6 (Dorrans 46, 6), Scharner 5 (Cox 66, 6), Thomas 5 (Brunt 46, 6); Long 6, Odemwingie 6.
Subs not used: Fulop, McAuley, Jones, Fortune.
REFEREE: Martin Atkinson
ATTENDANCE: 20, 341
NEXT UP:
Swansea v Chelsea, (away), Premier League, 24/09, 1500 BST
West Brom v Everton, (away), Carling Cup, 21/09, 2000 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Leon Britton (Swansea): Stopped West Brom from playing in his midfield holding position and was always alive to setting up a Swansea attack.
Swansea v West Brom Preview: Brendan Rodgers Desperate for Swans’ Luck to Change
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: West Brom, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: LIBERTY STADIUM, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
Another stalemate for Swansea and the euphoria of their promotion will quickly be replaced by realisation their top-flight stay is unlikely to be extended beyond one season.
Panic is not setting in at Swansea just yet, but having gone 360 minutes without scoring has hardly set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Given they have failed to clinch victories over Wigan and Sunderland, winnable home games at this level, they can ill-afford to let another chance pass them by.
Of course, there are no gimmees and West Brom have the quality to cross the Severn Bridge and win.
But failing again will just underline how Swansea's dream is slowly turning into a nightmare.
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Their casualty list is being added to as every game go by and news that red tape has blocked the arrivals of two defenders has hardly helped matters.
The best way of lifting the gloom is to score a goal, and more significantly, record their first win.
But as they have discovered, that's easier said than done.
Key Match-Up: Ashley Williams v Peter Odemwingie: Williams faces his old club, who released him as a teenager, and will be itching to prove them wrong. But he will have to be on the top of his game if he is ensure Swansea's third successive clean sheet on home soil. Odemwingie marked his first full start of the season with the early winner against Norwich last time out and the West Brom striker will be looking to replicate that here.
Form Guide: Swansea have collected just two points, following successive home draws, but are still yet to score after four games. West Brom endured a difficult start but were buoyed by their win at Carrow Road as they pocketed their first points, and win, of the new season.
Odds: Swansea 13/8, West Brom 7/4, Draw 11/5
SWANSEA:
Brendan Rodgers admits his Swansea side are down on their luck - both on and off the pitch.
Swansea, who have created countless chances, are still yet to score in the Premier League and they have been struck down with a host of injuries.
It doesn't get any better with news that Fifa have blocked their transfer deadline-day moves for Rafik Halliche and Darnel Situ as their threadbare squad is left stretched to the limit.
The Swansea manager said: "We are running up bad luck on and off the field. On the field our levels of performance have been high but we haven't had the luck to get a goal. Off the field we have lost a number of players through injury.
"Now we have learned these deals aren't going through. When you have the Premier League, the FA, the French Federation, everyone sees there is innocence if there was maybe something that did not go through. But Fifa are saying it is not valid at this point."
Rodgers admits West Brom have shown increasing signs that their days of being a yo-yo club are now over.
He added: "They have been up and down over a number of years but they now look a solid Premier League outfit.
"They have quality to score goals. It's a game we want to win, but we know it won't be handed to us on a plate."
Strategy: Swansea won't change their formation or approach, but they certainly need to find that winning formula soon. Four games have seen them collect two points, both from home stalemates, but they will need to address that here. No goals in six hours of Premier League football will concern Rodgers but don't expect him to change anything as he hopes his side's persistence will pay off.
Injury Update: Steven Caulker (knee) Craig Beattie (ankle) and Kemy Agustien (hamstring) joined the casualty list this week. Garry Monk should be fit to return but Alan Tate and Ferrie Bodde are long-term absentees.
Premier League Text Commentary: Norwich v West Brom As It Happened
by Daniel HarrisFiled under: West Brom, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Min-By-Min Reports
Minute-by-minute commentary from Carrow Road.
Norwich 0 West Brom 1: Peter Odemwingie Hands Albion Narrow Victory
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: West Brom, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Peter Odemwingie marked his return from injury with the only goal as West Brom collected their first points of the season.
The West Brom striker, who made his first start of the season, struck inside three minutes as Norwich were made to wait for their first win since returning to the Premier League.
Norwich had chances to level but couldn't find a way back, despite seeing goalkeeper Declan Rudd save Odemwingie's late penalty.
THE GOAL:
3mins: Odemwingie nips in for the all important winner after Richie de Laet's header back to Rudd falls short.
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
31mins: Elliott Bennett blazes over from close-range.
38mins: Jonas Olsson is fortunate to escape after appearing to haul down Grant Holt.
44mins: Graham Dorrans crashes a shot against the post.
57mins: Jerome Thomas fires just wide.
75mins: Steven Reid is tripped by Steve Morison, but Odemwingie's penalty is saved.
86mins: Morison heads just wide after meeting Marc Tierney's cross.
WHAT IT MEANS:
These are the kind of games from which Norwich must look to emerge with three points. They will feel they created enough chances to have done so. West Brom are off the mark and will be relieved, given the poor start they had made to the season.
REACTION:
Norwich manager Paul Lambert was left to rue the early mix-up that gifted the visitors the lead:
"We can't start a game like we did. We gave them something to hang onto. I can't fault the players. We didn't deserve to lose, but we have to go again and can't afford to make similar starts."
On Rudd:
"He has never left me down when he has been called upon. It was a terrific penalty save. I'm disappointed for him and the players."
On searching for their first win:
"If we keep playing like this then we will get that. We just have to keep plugging away."
Roy Hodgson admitted his West Brom players made life hard for themselves for failing to kill off Norwich:
"We didn't finish them off so it was always going to be tough at the end with the ball around your penalty area. You hope you stand firm and that's what happened."
On Shane Long and Odemwingie's partnership:
"For 60 minutes they were very good. Maybe they tired towards the end. It would be wrong of me complain after three points against a side who will be hard to beat."
On Gabriel Tamas' elbow on James Vaughan:
"It was accidental elbow I'd say after seeing the video. Tamas does catch him with his elbow. He can be accused of being clumsy, but it wasn't intentional."
Odemwingie says the win has lifted the gloom after West Brom's slow start to the season:
"We had to hang on at the end. They are full of confidence. It was a bad atmosphere before the international break and now we are happy."
On his goal:
"It was my first start after injury so it was nice to get off and running straight away. It gave us confidence and we built on that as we forgot what happened before."
On the penalty miss:
"I made it difficult for my team-matse. I said sorry to them at the end as we had to hang on."
NORWICH 0 WEST BROM 1 (Odemwingie 3)
PLAYER MARKING:
Norwich (4-4-2): Rudd 7; Naughton 6, Barnett 6, De Laet 5, Tierney 6; Bennett 6, Crofts 6, Johnson 6, Surman 5 (Hoolahan 60, 6); Holt 6 (Morison 70, 6), C Martin 6 (Jackson 70,6)
Subs (not used): R Martin, Fox, Morison, Wilbraham
West Brom (4-4-2): Foster 6; Reid 6, Olsson 7, Tamas 7, Shorey 6; Dorrans 6 (Morrison 69, 6), Mulumbu 8, Scharner 7, Thomas 6 (Brunt 84,6); Long 6 (Tchoyi 89, 6), Odemwingie 8
Subs (not used): Fulop, Dawson, Jones, Cox
REFEREE: Mark Halsey
ATTENDANCE: 26, 158
UP NEXT:
Norwich v Bolton (away), Premier League, 17/09, 1500 BST
West Brom v Swansea (away), Premier League, 17/09, 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH: Peter Odemwingie (West Brom): Was a threat all afternoon and was rewarded with his comeback goal.
Norwich v West Brom Preview: Roy Hodgson Wants End to Hard Luck Stories
by Ben HuntFiled under: West Brom, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: CARROW ROAD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1330 BST
It is probably fair to assume that the Norwich manager, Paul Lambert, is pleased with the start his side have made to the Premier League season.
The Canaries have earned credible draws with Wigan and Stoke while they were unlucky to be on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The visit of West Brom will be another stern test and will establish just whether Norwich can rival established teams from the top flight.
While Norwich have two points on board, West Brom are still looking to get off the mark.
Roy Hodgson's side were given a tough couple of opening games with Manchester United, Chelsea and then Stoke, and presumably will be looking to this fixture as a source of their first points of the season.
Hodgson's side have been incredibly unlucky this season. There have been on the receiving end of a couple of deflected goal, while they lost to Stoke in the 89th minute.
Could their luck change against Norwich? Well that could depend on whether last season's leading scorer - Peter Odemwingie - returns from his ankle injury.
Key Match-up: Steve Morison v Gabriel Tamas. Morison returns to club action after leading the wales attack against England at Wembley.. The former Millwall striker works tirelessly and will be difficult for Tamas to stop. Morison and Grant Holt will give even the most seasoned Premier League defenders a hard time this season and Tamas will be no exception. Romanian defender Tamas is now a mainstay in West Brom's defence and will relish his running battle with Morison.
Form Guide: Norwich still have the momentum from last season's promotion. They have made a good start to the season but they need to continue with that progress. West Brom have also made a steady start, even though results have not gone their way. The Baggies look organised under Hodgson and will be picking up points soon. West Brom have been victorious on their two previous visits to Norfolk, winning 2-1 on both occasions.
Odds: Norwich 6-4, West Brom 15-8, Draw 9-4
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Grading the Transfer Window: Swansea, Tottenham, WBA, Wigan, Wolves
by FanHouse UKFiled under: Tottenham, West Brom, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Team Reviews, Transfer News
Continuing our look at the transfer dealing conducted before the August 31st deadline, FanHouse UK picks out the good, the bad and the ugly deals made by the last five teams in the Premier League (based on alphabetical order, of course).
The likes of Spurs and Wigan did their usual wheeling and dealing while Swansea, West Brom and Wolves will all hope they did enough to stay out of the relegation conversation this season ... only time will tell.
In part one, we looked at the dealings of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea. Read it here.
For part two - Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United - click here.
And part three saw us examine Newcastle, Norwich, QPR, Stoke and Sunderland. Read that here.
SWANSEA
With two clean sheets but no goals to their name, you would think the Premier League newboys were only looking in one area to strengthen on deadline day. But Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers went the other way, signing three defenders to bolster a department that was thin on the ground. Algerian Rafik Halliche joined from Fulham, while former full-back Fede Bessone returned to the Welsh club alongside new £250,000 recruit Darnel Situ. The fact Rodgers opted out of adding firewpower to his goal-shy squad speaks volumes of his trust in Danny Graham. The onus is on £3.5million record signing, who is yet to get off the mark in a Swansea shirt, to fire the Swans to safety.
Highlight: Securing the likes of Ashley Williams, Nathan Dyer and Neil Taylor on long-term contracts.
Lowlight: Losing out on millions with out-of-contract goalkeeper Dorus de Vries and midfielder Darren Pratley leaving for nothing.
Grade: C
TOTTENHAM
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was celebrating after keeping Luka Modric at the club despite the Croatia midfielder wanting to leave for Chelsea. Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker also arrived during the window but they failed to land a centre-back that manager Harry Redknapp wanted. Adebayor should provide a decent goal threat and Parker will strengthen the midfield, but it is debatable whether Redknapp received the "marquee" player he wanted to get Spurs fighting for Champions League qualification again. Deadline day was productive in terms of getting rid of unwanted squad players such as Alan Hutton, David Bentley, Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios and Jermaine Jenas.
Highlight: Luka Modric staying at the club.
Lowlight: Missing out on Gary Cahill on deadline day.
Grade: C+
WEST BROM
Not even three Premier League defeats have managed to burst the bubble of buoyancy surrounding the Baggies following a promising summer in the transfer market at the Hawthorns. Roy Hodgson has quickly built on a stunning start to life as manager by strengthening his squad with quality additions in the shape of Ben Foster, Zoltan Gera and, most of all, Shane Long. Equally crucial, though, has been their success in keeping hold of their star names, particularly last season's top scorer, Peter Odemwingie, who recently signed a new contract. Their only disappointment will have been their failed and very public pursuit of Owen Hargreaves.
Highlight: Long looks a star in the making.
Lowlight: Being strung along for virtually the entire summer by Hargreaves.
Grade: B
WIGAN
It could have been worse. Charles N'Zogbia's move to Aston Villa prompted fears that highly-rated duo Hugo Rodallega, who is in the final year of contract, and James McCarthy could follow the French winger out of the DW Stadium. Not only has McCarthy signed a new long term deal, Rodallega remains although manager Roberto Martinez could decide to cash in on the Colombian forward in January. Martinez has spent the N'Zogbia money wisely, but Shaun Maloney and winger Albert Crusat will be under pressure to make immediate impacts. Patrick van Aanholt, who has joined on loan from Chelsea, will also have his work cut out if he is to make the same impact as Tom Cleverley last season.
Highlight: Keeping the likes of Rodallega and McCarthy from the clutches of other clubs.
Lowlight: Failing to land striker Peter Odemwingie from West Brom could yet prove costly.
Grade: C-