We've been on a tough run of poor form since new year, 2017 certainly hasn't been kind so far. If we carry on like this we will be pulled into the relegation battle, and with Man United away up next this fixture feels a weight of pressure to come away with something to keep the head above the water.
Man City last game was an improvement and perhaps the best I've seen us play since that night against Arsenal. However you get nothing for playing 'ok' and losing. We've since been on a training camp at Real Madrid no less, shame we shouldn't sneak Ramos and Bale back in our luggage.
We will likely be without Francis at the back and will again be forced to put Tyrone Mings in at CB, shifting Cook to his wrong side, making our whole defence a bit disjointed. Being vulnerable to aerial balls at the best of times, facing West Brom with that defence doesn't fill me with joy. On the flip side we seem to be giving King a run of games up front at last, and he's again blossoming as a result. Ibe is slowly but surely coming good, and Wilshere has started playing back in his best no.10 role again. So I think we'll score at least. Just a case of how many we shift at the other end.
Of the 4 times we've faced WBA in recent years, we've won 3 and drawn 1. You can look at that and say it bodes well, or you could say they're due a win over us..
Oh Boruc you silly mad bastard. After all the games in which you've done ok only to be let down by defenders, today our defenders did ok but you show up with one of your special days!