It really has been a mixed season for Albion. Before the turn of the year fans were getting annoyed and restless with Alan Irvine, which led to his sacking just after Christmas. Tony Pulis came in and he really has turned our season around.
Realistically looking at the table we’re safe now; I cannot see how Sunderland will pick up eight points from their remaining five games. It’s a big weight lifted off our shoulders for numerous of reasons. We’re looking for new owners in the summer which has become public knowledge without Premier League football this would have decreased the value of the club hugely. We’ll be heading into our sixth consecutive season in the Premier League without a penny of debt at the club and some great infrastructure, surely a steal at £150 million.
Tony Pulis will also keep his record of never being relegated in 23 seasons. He’s not had the worst clubs but it’s still a brilliant record considering where Palace and Albion were when he took them over. His tactics have been questionable at times but he knows how to grind out a result more so against the big teams. There’s not many teams in the league that would lose at home to QPR and Leicester 4-1 and 3-2 respectively then go to Selhurst Park and get a well-earned 2-0 victory before a battling draw against Liverpool.
The final reason is looking forward to the transfer window in the summer. We strengthened well in the winter with Callum McManaman and old United player Darren Fletcher (who I’ll talk more about shortly). Which has helped keep us above relegation, also players of this calibre will also help keep players at the club with the likes of Berahino reportedly being a target for many top teams.
Speaking of Darren Fletcher I cannot thank Manchester United enough for letting us have him. He was given the armband immediately at the cub and you can see why. He’s a natural born leader and a model professional and has already gotten behind Albion’s ‘Justice for Jeff’ campaign. He’s already become the first name on the team sheet and I’m sure he’ll get a fantastic reception the weekend. It really is a shame about his illness problems as I still believe he could be in United’s team today.
Looking forward to the game the weekend I’m expecting a very tough match. Our season is all but over now and while you’re pretty much guaranteed top four you still get second and the bragging rights over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal. I expect United to go all-out attack while Pulis to set up defensively. With your attacking quality you should breakthrough our defence eventually but Albion don’t go down easy.
If Albion are to get anything from the match they must utilise the pace of Berahino and the presence of Anichebe. While the two strikers are very different they play quite well together. Anichebe can hold the ball up while Berahino runs in behind, although I’m not sure how much we’ll be able to do this Saturday.
I’m hoping for a repeat of the 2-1 at Old Trafford two seasons ago but I just can’t see it. Another 5-5 would be even better but everything points to a United win here.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
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