1. Freestone
2. Price
3. Howard
4. Bound
5. O'Leary
6. Cusack
7. Thomas
8. Boyd
9. Watkin @
10. Coates
11. Keegan #

    ---

12. Jones J
13. Mumford
14. Roberts # 67
15. Jenkins
16. Mutton @ 45

 WBA

1. Jensen
2. Lyttle
3. Clement
4. McInnes
5. Butler
6. Fox
7. Taylor
8. Hughes
9. Van Blerk
10. Jordao
11. Chambers

    ---

12. Adamson
13. Carbon
14. Sneekes
15. J Roberts
16. Oliver

There was a very unusual shape to the Swans side that took the field at the impressive Hawthorns stadium tonight. The hearts of the 200 or so Jacks supporters sank as we realised that defensive stalwarts Smith and Jones, alas, were not going to appear (presumably being rightly rested after recent knocks) Our expectation was that O'Leary or Mumford would deputise for Smith, and Price for Jones, but instead we got another viewing of the 3-5-2 formation which briefly appeared in the home match V Colchester, with Howard and Price flanking Bound as the back 3. They were supported by Keegan and Coates in wing-back roles.

The unusual formation undoubtedly took some time to settle in, and our defence looked uneasy throughout the first half against a WBA team who often seemed only half interested. However, clear cut chances were restricted to a Ruel Fox shot well saved by Freestone, and a Hughes drive which hit the post. Our 5 man midfield was often ragged but always competitive, and succeeded in exerting some pressure on the home goal, mainly through the energetic running of Boyd, Watkin and Price. But our efforts on goal were speculative at best. Our most promising moment came when the impressive Watkin spun his marker on the edge of the box and appeared to be fouled in the area. Remarkably the referee waved play on and Watkin was forced to leave the fray as a result of the injury to be replaced by Mutton.

The second half followed a similar pattern. In patches we passed the ball well and produced some good build up play, but the end product was never there. However, we looked more impressive at the back afer the break and succeeded in completely snuffing out the expensive WBA front line, until we managed to bring about our own downfall when a rare Bound mistake (presumably missing his shadow) let in 2 million pound substitute Jason Roberts for an easy goal. Spurred on by excellent support from the stands, the Swans to their credit had a real tilt at getting back into the game, mainly through the pacy running of Mutton and Boyd. But it was Price who gave us our lifeline, going to ground in the area and winning a penalty, which Super Matt (top scorer!) crashed into the back of the net. For a ten minute spell afterwards we looked like the more likely winners, but then gradually succumbed to a spell of home pressure channelled mainly through J. Roberts. Freestone pulled off one first class save before we ultimately conceeded a close range late winner from the above.

Player ratings -
Freestone 7 - some good saves but uncomfortable under the high ball today - still showed Paul Jones how to do it!
Howard 7 - our tidiest defender in an unfamiliar formation
Bound 6 - bad error for the goal, but otherwise did 2 mens jobs
Price 7 - unusually competent as a defender, but less effective going forward today
Coates 5 - little influence
Keegan 7 - defended well, and one or 2 good moments
Cusack 6 - battled hard in a congested midfield
Thomas 6 - as above
O'Leary 5 - again his limitations as a midfielder exposed
Watkin 6 - dangerous while he was on
Boyd 7 - some lovely skills and a couple of hopeful strikes (good to see his girlfriend getting so excited in the stand!)
Subs Mutton 6 - some pacy running, but we are yet to see an end product from him
Roberts (for Keegan) 6 - battled gamely on the wing, but little room

In summary, a gutsy and committed performance which included the odd flash of brilliance from Walter and some spells of quality play. However, our midfield will be disappointed that they didn't make more of the space given to them, and our strike force, despite their best efforts, never really struck. But we made an expensively assembled home side, from a higher division, look very ordinary tonight, and with a bit more of a cutting edge ourselves, the result could easily have gone our way. Well done to the lads for never giving up, they appreciated the support of the crowd...Roll on the New Den.

To be honest it was to be expected, as 30 or so hardy MAGS made their way to The Hawthorns via Roger's pub in Walsall, we sensed that once again it was to be in vain. But then again, as pointed out, we were never going to win the Worthington Cup. Tonight was about the performance, a late arrival at the newly seated away end, and once again pathetic over zealous stewarding made it tense. But on the pitch was tenser. A back four of Keegan ( in for the injured Jones ) Price, Bound and Howard looked stable and accomplished, if there were to be a critisism it was Keegan's strength on the ball. Price looked comfortable and worked as well with Bound as Smith does. In midfield we looked to Thomas and Cusack, the latter non existent at times, complimented by Coates and O'leary we watched Boyd and Watkin link well together. It was to be a grafter of a night. The Hawthorns looks nice, it's floodlights on a healthy pitch and a noisy support whilst 400 or so Jacks hailed Hollins, he too still has a barmy army. Barmy indeed.

The pattern set, we found ourselves tormented by Lee Hughes who constantly enveloped himself across the back four and Fox looked dangerous until he met Price or Bound. When we did threaten it was Watkin with pitiful shots or Boyd jinking in to the box to match Watkin's efforts, both gave the keeper easy back passes. This is the clear difference between us and many others.

WBA went close with a header on 29 minutes which the referee decided was a corner and from the clearance Boyd was set up from deep to shoot wide. West Brom attacked, we defended, and tried to hit them on the break. But Cusack and O'Leary kept looking for Alsop with high balls, sadly he was 100 miles away watching the tv. He couldn't care for the Swansea cause, but then again do you blame him ? A quck one two and move from Hughes brought a terrific save from Freestone, parrying the ball on to the post. We looked at our watches, 0-0 a satisfactory half time scoreline. Just before the whistle the inept ref allowed Watkin to be felled outside the box, he couldn't continue and the boy Mutton appeared. Roberts watched from the bench. Stuart warmed up, Jason just waited. For both their times would come.

The second half resumed in the same way. West Brom looked the more dangerous, but found it hard to break down a solid defence and battling midfield, even Cusack joined in. But ineffective front running from Mutton and Coates left Boyd to try and take on the whole Albion team, time and time again he jinked and ran and fought and battled. He needs help up there, and we do not have the answer.

Enter Jason Roberts.

With 73 minutes gone a tame back header from Bound left Freestone stranded, and Roberts latched on to the loose ball. It was 1-0 low and hard to Roger's right. You can forgive Bound, he now shows he is human. Everyone around were no longer Johnny Hollins Barmy Army, anger like Colchester brewed. Frustration that we were not to get back in to it, most agreeing that " Thats it boys, we are knackered " A 1-0 should be enough. Sheep noises to our right, the stewards watched, " Sheepshaggers " too, the stewards laughed, shouts of " Welsh Bastards " the stewards looked. A Swans fan responds with like and is threatened with ejection. Yes, the West Midlands have a fine body of unemployed half wits at The Hawthorns, they need training, trust me.

So at 1-0 it's over. But Price pushed up, and linked well with Mutton who showed some guts with a run that always looked like it would fizzle out, then Coates did the same. Thomas prompted from midfield and intro Stu Roberts. The Swans started playing football, Walter was busy and looked like he might lose it in challenges that the ref chose to ignore. He clearly is reluctant to give the ball wide, he knows the return will be of no value, or too high for his lack of prowess in the air.

Cusack looked to his arm and saw he was captain. With that he lobbed the ball forward as Price ran in to the area, controlling poorly, and was closed down by two Albion defenders. They didn't touch him, he went down. Penalty. It should never have been, but it was.

Bound - Goal !

1-1

It felt like we may just do it. Then the battle left us, we had settled for a point, but there was no point to win, and we looked to the defence to get us through. The stop gap kids couldn't muster the energy or the guile. Roberts was lost to the game, and a scramble with minutes to spare saw Roberts ( theirs ) sneak in on another defensive error. Bound fell to the ground, Freestone, arms wide, was horrified. We had lost, but then we expected to.

2-1

Boing bloody Boing.

The element of surprise is that we played well, under staffed we presented a case that we are good enough. I know - Hollins needs to fill the strike gap, if he does in the next 7 days we will have a good season. No doubt his efforts will reward us now with the striker we crave. He has has long enough, Mutton is no answer, Watkin too injury prone and Walter is away too often. Not one of them has found the net in 7 games.

The hint in big red letters for John Hollins. Quit the talking, quit the phrases that " We don't want to rush " Get out there and do us the service we need, and fill the gap even you can see.

If you had from day one this game could have seen us progress to another game with Derby.

The fact it is in a competition we will never win requires management, and that management comes from John Hollins. We are to light weight up front, we need somebody in there with energy and bottle to feed off Walter or Watkin. The message from everyone there was simple - Player please John.

Now. No more excuses.

For tonights’ game we were without Smith and Jones, O’Leary and Keegan coming into the line up. There was a following of about 300 fans. The ground had changed since our last visit with the away fans having the same part of the ground as before but now all seater, so a new stand.

The team were again more than a match against a higher division team due to being well organised and working for each other. Most of the first half was played from penalty are to penalty area, with both defences on top. There were a coupe of scares when an Albion player failed to connect with a header from a deep cross when well placed. The second with an attempt hitting the outside of the post and going to safety. Watkin went off just before half time being replaced by Mutton.

The second half came with us thinking with a bit of luck we could sneak a result. The tempo of the game had increased with Albion subs especially Roberts making a difference. He was causing problems with his lay offs and holding the ball up for support. Their goal actually came from a mistake by the dependable Bound, who tried to direct a through ball back to Rog with his head, but only made slight contact allowing Roberts through placing the ball passed the advancing Freestone.

Roberts came on for Keegan, and with the Swans mounting pressure but not hurting the Albion, Price found himself in the box and was clipped on the ankle. A penalty given by the ref. If it had been given against us we would have thought a bit harsh, as it seemed as if he played for it. After a bit of moaning from the West Brom players Bound was allowed to take the kick. No problem the fans went wild. How the mood had changed from silence to non stop chants. The game looked to be going to extra time when three minutes from the end they got their second. It was at the far end so not sure exactly how but it seemed as if after a couple of blocks Rog saved but Roberts reacted quickest and it was in.

Not much play after that before the final whistle. The players had again done themselves justice, and gave a good account. The difference was again shown as our lack of ideas up front. Albion did have a multi million pound strike force which cannot be compared against ours. But and it is a big BUT we do not have strikers who can turn half chances into goal attempts. They work hard but lack the killer instinct as the first option is always to look for the pass.

Anyway again to end on a high note. The Albion fans were relieved to get the result as we again played as a unit covering the whole pitch. So even though the result went against us, it was an enjoyable game.

A 5 minute car drive for me tonight to get to a much improved all seated Hawthorns. 250 Jacks made the trip, but the feeling was of intrepidation as we found out that Jason Smith and Steve Jones had both failed late fitness tests.

Much to my surprise The Baggies manager Gary Megson went for a sole striker up front leaving the powerfull Jason Roberts on the bench but including newly signed Ruel Fox.Swansea played a 4-4-2 formation to start with JJ covering for Smith and Keegan for Steve Jones.It was a very even game possesion wise in the first half, Fox played some midfield splitting passes for Albion and Thomas battling so hard for every ball in the middle.Rog was called on a couple of times and again proved his Welsh call up credentials with two fine diving saves. Without sounding too repetitive it has to be said again that we were a striker missing and although we were creative at times, it was difficult to see the Swans finding that decisive finish.Just before half time Watkin was replaced by Mutton as he hobbled off after an apparant off the ball incident missed by most people in the ground including the three officials.Now we were really up against it with an already inadequate strke force.Walter showed a lot of flair and that Brtish thing called tenacity tonight which greatly improved my perception of his game.The second half started in a similar fashion but then it all changed.Jason Roberts replaced Ruel Fox and Albion reverted to a 4-4-2 formation and less than 10 minutes later Roberts took advantage of Matt Bounds hessitancy to put them 1-0 up on 63 Minutes.11 minutes later JJ was bundled over in the Albion Penalty area for the Swans to win a rather dubious penalty. 74 mins:Bound: smack: straight in the middle of the Baggies goal in exactly the same fashion as Peterborough 1-1. But how cruel this game is, as the swans battled away so hard that man Roberts nipped in on a loose ball and 2-1 on 88 minutes.We can take comfort from the fact that we had a depleted team tonight and that it cost Albion £2 million pounds to take the spoils tonight as opposed to our nil investment at the Vetch.

My impressions of the players.
Freestone: Did nothing wrong and produced a couple of fine diving saves 8/10
Howard: Defended well again but his distribution at times could be questioned.7/10
Bound: Won most balls in the air and apart from his mistake for the first goal was as solid as ever. A good though soon to be predictably taken penalty 7/10
Price: Covered well for Smith but clearly out of position but he got his foot in at important times.7/10
Coates: Another dismal performance from one of the most gifted players on our books. Totally inaffective except for one solitary important last man challenge. 4/10
Keegan: Played well tonight in roles of full back and midfielder. Full marks for his efforts tonight and he displayed some wonderful ball control at times 7/10
Cusack: Not his most effective display tonight though he battled hard alongside Thomas. 7/10
Thomas: Worked exceptionally hard tonight in the middle and played one or to telling passes. Booked for a wonderfully hard fair tackle.7/10
Oleary: Didn't really have much influence on the game. Lacked mobility again and failed to utilise the space in midfield given to us by Albion. 6/10
Watkin: Started well continually sniffing around the Albion back for but didn't really get a clear cut chance.Subbed just before half time for an apparant off the ball incident that left him hobbling quite badly. 7/10
Boyd: Nice to see Walter showing some real grit and determination tonight. That combined with his immense skills created confusion at times in the Albion defence 7/10
Mutton: Replacement for Watkin, Tommy displayed some good pace and skill at times but was easily knocked off the ball while in possesion. Don't write the kid off yet experiance may turn him into a tricky little striker 7/10
Roberts: on for a tierd Keegan, didn't really stamp any authority on the game tonight 6/10

CONCLUSION: