Preston 0, West Brom 0: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict

Oct 5 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

ALBION or Preston? Roberto Di Matteo or Alan Irvine? Strictly Come Dancing or X Factor?

Actually, there’s not much in it.

And so, the game between Albion’s head coach and the Baggies boss that never was became more synonymous as a match nobody wanted to lose.

Di Matteo might have been preferred/second to Irvine (delete as you feel fit), but there was no question who was the moral victor at Deepdale.

Albion took a point, should have claimed three but at least they didn’t lose.

And that’s the main thing because Preston is a part of Lancashire where Albion seldom get any joy.

No wins since 1959 didn’t make kind reading for those of us who list ‘soccerbase.com’ among our Internet favourites.

Yet Di Matteo’s men went close. The brilliant Graham Dorrans was back to the kind of form he enjoyed at Middlesbrough, as opposed to the relative inexperience and lack of endeavour he showed in south Yorkshire last Tuesday.

In fact, the whole side possessed more will and showed more diligence.

Abdoulaye Meite, so maligned in the past, fitted into his role with no fuss. It was only right that Shelton Martis should sit it out following his recent woes and the Ivory Coast international performed well.

He was bright and stuck to the basic defensive principles which had eluded Albion in their previous game.

That display brought out the best in Jonas Olsson, who was excellent alongside his central defensive partner.

Joe Mattock, too, was more convincing. The ex-Leicester City man has struggled for form since his move from the East Midlands but, on Saturday, he put in a better shift.

But it was further up the pitch where Albion made an impact – albeit one which didn’t produce the desired win.

Youssouf Mulumbu’s batteries were recharged and it showed with a high-energy performance.

The two next to him thrived. Gonzalo Jara, playing what would be best described as the ‘Greening role’, brought calm and composure to an otherwise hectic area of the field.

The Chilean’s ability and coolness made up for his lack of Championship experience – who knows how Colo Colo’s rivals stacked up in their league, but the meat-and-potatoes style of football that’s served up at Deepdale on a windy Saturday lunchtime must seem a different planet to Santiago, let alone half a world away.

But whereas Jonathan Greening would pass across the pitch, try to keep possession, or pirouette a few times near the corner flag, Jara would simply pick out a runner or pass forwards.

Next to him was Dorrans, who lit up the stadium with an excellent display. The soon-to-be Scotland international brought craft and graft to the side.

His trickery troubled Richard Chaplow and co in the Preston midfield.