SussexBaggie speaks...

17 August 2011 14:33
Tom Harper analyses the United defeat and Odemwinigie's contract situation. In WBA-MAD's newest feature, SussexBaggie - Tom Harper - gives his thoughts on the major topics every Albion fan is discussing. For the second consecutive season, we started our campaign against the previous year’s Premier League champions. On this occasion, we welcomed Manchester United to The Hawthorns and produced a very impressive performance, despite ending up losing the game 2-1 to a late own-goal from Steven Reid. One of the main positives to come from the United game was the performance of debutant Shane Long, whose goal towards the end of the first half looked like being enough to earn Albion a share of the spoils. His pace and movement caused the United back-four a number of problems and, for somebody who is not particularly tall, he won several aerial challenges. Somen Tchoyi was another player who impressed, especially in the first half. His unpredictability can make him a favourite and a scapegoat among Albion fans during the same game, but playing like he did on Sunday, he will undoubtedly be one to watch this season. The most important positive to come out of the game on Sunday, though, is that at no point were we outclassed by a side who many people are tipping to retain their Premier League title this season. I would go as far to say that we had the better of the play in the second half, with the only problem being that we were unable to test the nervous-looking David De Gea in the United goal. A former friend? The other main talking point over the last few days has been the future of last season’s top scorer, Peter Odemwingie. He has spent most of this summer in negotiations regarding an improved contract after such an impressive first season in English football. But Albion fans are now beginning to get frustrated with the time it appears to be taking Odemwingie to sign his new deal. Rumours have emerged over the last few days stating that he has asked for up to £55,000 per week in wages – a rumour which has led to a number of Albion fans losing the respect they developed for Odemwingie throughout last season. I personally don’t think he will leave – especially after he has today proclaimed his love for the club.  However, whether he will be the same player this season if he has been looking for a move away remains to be seen. If there is any positive to be drawn from this situation it is that Somen Tchoyi and Shane Long seemed to form a very good partnership up front on Sunday. So, if Odemwingie does end up leaving, we have two players capable of causing Premier League defences problems in his place. I’m not sure whether I want Odemwingie to stay if the recent speculation is true, although I do think that it would be very difficult to replace a striker of his quality within our price range. I just hope there is an outcome either way soon to end all the speculation. Read more of Tom's Baggies blogs here.

Source: FOOTYMAD