Scunthorpe 1, West Brom 3: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict and player ratings
Dec 29 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail
IT IS 23 games in and Albion are on target.
Second spot, 45 points and a goal difference that’s better than the one of two seasons ago.
On Monday Albion made hard work of it but let’s give credit. A third of the pitch was covered in ice.
Scunthorpe, of freezing temperatures with a small compact pitch, while buoyed on by a near-capacity crowd in a small stadium, did not make for an environment of liquid football.
And, in fairness, Albion made good work of the canvas they were given. It was arduous at times, yet Scunthorpe struggled to contain their opponents during a dominant first half.
The home side improved after the break, following Graham Dorrans’ first-half opener, and got a 46th-minute reply through Rob Jones.
Michael O’Connor’s cross from a short corner was deflected goalwards. Dean Kiely could only parry the ball and ex-Hibernian defender Jones headed home from close range.
Albion clinched their win during a lively second half, thanks to another Dorrans goal – a penalty – and a Gianni Zuiverloon strike.
Roberto Di Matteo deserves credit. Albion have scored 48 goals, conceding 22 and have an average of just under two points per game.
During their title-winning season they had 47 goals, 27 against and were four points worse off.
This is a team of younger players and a less experienced manager.
We have to assume they can improve. Yesterday’s victory was the kind that needed a bit of spirit and endeavour.
In many ways it was a more satisfying win than some of Albion’s bigger victories.
The defence impressed. Zuiverloon has been improving and deserved his strike – the two centre-halves next him were equally strong, with Jonas Olsson suffering with a bug.
In midfield, Gonzalo Jara went about his business with efficiency and no frills.
He is one of those players who can drift away from the limelight, but take him out of the picture and you notice a huge void in the team.
