Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
After a bright start to the season which saw West Brom earn seven points from the first which were available, Tony Pulis’ men have been through something of a struggle. It is now win in their last seven and today life does not get any easier as they play host to the swashbuckling Manchester City.
It’s been a gradual slide down the table for the Baggies as they currently find themselves 13th in the table, that gives some breathing space between themselves and the teams below them that are in a slightly more precarious position but it is fair to say that they cannot live on those early wins for much longer.
The simple fact is that they are only two points clear of the drop zone at present and the longer this run without a win continues the more stark the reality becomes, of course with Tony Pulis in charge they have the perfect man to get to the 40 point marker before downing tools but this run without a win must be a concern for the fans.
Last weekend they made the journey to the South Coast for the Saturday evening clash against Southampton and it looked as if they would come away with a well earned if not inspiring point with the game heading for a stalemate, but a late goal for the Saints meant that they would be returning to the West Midlands empty handed.
And when you’re seven games without a win the last thing you need is to go up against a Manchester City side which are averaging more than three and a half goals a game in the Premier League this season and yet to taste defeat in the top flight.
Quite simply Manchester City have raised the bar in this first quarter of the campaign in the first few weeks where many felt it would be both Manchester clubs pushing each other neck and neck it is now Pep Guardiola’s men and the rest as they find themselves five points clear.
They could well find themselves in the ideal situation of being seven points clear by the end of the day if they are to win at The Hawthorns and both Manchester United and Tottenham take points off of each other in the lunchtime fixture at Old Trafford.
Last weekend Pep Guardiola‘s men made light work of a Burnley side that have already picked up a decent portfolio of major scalps this season, it seems as if no-one get close to them as of late, they have conceded just two goals in their last five matches while scoring 22. That is an average of 4.4 goals per game
Sensational numbers whichever way you look at it and not only that it is a sensational squad which is plentiful in attacking options, as always the question will be who will start but right now the exact personnel does not seem to matter as ultimately the job will always be done.
This time last year 364 days ago the fixture computer threw up these two teams together at the same ground and the traveling City fans were treated to a routine win by their heroes as they eased to a 4-0 win with Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan both picking up a brace.
To be honest with the form that City are in right now I would not be too surprised if we saw the exact same outcome later today. That’s no disrespect to West Brom, it’s just that this blue machine is light years ahead of anyone else right now. An away win for me.
Here is what social media thinks – you can still vote on the outcome
My bad forgot this in the polls
Who will come out on top when the fluid football of #WBA takes on route on #ManchesterCity
— Dan Tracey (@dantracey1983) October 27, 2017
