Shrewsbury 0 West Brom 2: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict
Jul 23 2009 By Chris Lepkowski
If ever Albion need an emergency striker, dare I say Koren may be the man for a job - he's proven many times that his positional sense and anticipation is in tune with a typical striker, rather than midfielder.
Craig Beattie went close to a third on 50 minutes when he knocked the ball past Coughlan but smashed his close range angled shot against Arestidou.
And Chris Wood almost broke his first-team duck in the 82nd minute but drove Dwayne Samuels cross wide of the Shrewsbury goal before seeing another effort sail just wide moments later.
It was an encouraging display, although the second-half changes upset the rhythm. The defence looked sound again and Youssouf Mulumbu, although a little sloppy, was more than willing to take responsibility in front of them.
Albion fans should absorb the optimism. Pre-season friendlies or not, it's looking bright.
SHREWSBURY: (4-4-2) Arestidou, Holden, Langmead, Coughlan, McIntyre, Disley, Dobson, Murray, Robinson, Riza, Neal. Subs: Dunfield, Leslie, Hooman, Gray, Simpson, Cansdell-Smith.
ALBION: (4-4-2) Carson, Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Cech, Koren, Mulumbu, Greening, Brunt, Moore, Beattie. Subs: Kiely, Barnett, Teixeira, Kim, Borja, Labadie, Samuels, Wood.
Referee: S Rushton (Staffordshire)
