West Brom 0, Stoke 3: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict
IN the League of Referees – as sponsored by Tony Pulis – Chris Foy would probably be pushing for a Champions League spot if it was up to the Stoke boss.
Roberto Di Matteo might have him down as a struggler, possibly a contender for relegation.
Inevitably, we’re talking about bad refereeing. Again.
More about the Merseyside official later. His rapacity for exposure was noted.
In terms of Albion the statistics, which are more damning, don’t involve a poor referee – more a shocking record against Stoke City.
Twenty eight games and one victory. Stoke, meanwhile, have 18 wins from the same fixture to look back on.
It gets worse before it gets better. One point from a possible 15. No wins from Albion’s last five games.
The rot has to be halted, somehow.
Di Matteo was very keen to play down Albion’s chances a few weeks ago. You can’t blame him.
The Baggies have slipped into something of a mire.
Playing Stoke wasn’t going to help matters and, not surprisingly, Albion lost – despite the visitors not looking particularly impressive.
It was a 3-0 performance in result only. It was harsh on Albion.
But it also underlined their deficiencies.
Nicky Shorey was left out, which was a little surprising, but to have little bearing.
Elsewhere, Giles Barnes was brought into the midfield in place of Chris Brunt. And while Barnes looked threatening early on, the Baggies lacked the poise and creativity that Brunt has shown in recent weeks.
And that was the problem with Albion’s performance.
They didn’t perform that badly but the lack of direction or invention was obvious. Stoke’s backline were excellent but too often Albion chose the wrong ball. Playing high balls for Peter Odemwingie is all very well if the opposition have centre-halves no taller than 5ft 8ins. But when they are Ryan Shawcross or Robert Huth then you can forget it.
And there lay Albion’s problem.
The creativity, dynamicism and zest of the side which ripped apart all-comers during the opening weeks is no longer there.
