Source: Daily_Mail
West Bromwich Albion have an extra steel now that could see them beat the drop
[LNB]Pure delight: Chris Brunt celebrates after scoring West Brom's equaliser against Tottenham[LNB]The nation's bookmakers had West Bromwich Albion marked down as second favourites for relegation behind Blackpool before a ball was kicked in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]And I have to confess I came within a whisker of taking them up on their offer.[LNB]I am a betting man. And yes, I did for a moment consider that West Brom would be boing-boinging their way back into the Championship. Again.[LNB]I'm glad, however, that I kept faith with Roberto Di Matteo - and his chairman Jeremy Peace.[LNB]Having seen the Baggies for thefirst time this season against Spurs last weekend, I think that thisvintage is far better placed to remain in top-flight football than allits' predecessors.[LNB]I know the Throstles (and yes, Ishall continue to use this other nickname as the bird sits on theclub's crest) stayed up after the Great Escape season four years ago.[LNB]But the crucial difference betweenthen and now, in my humble opinion, is that there is now a steeliness, physicalpresence and, to a degree, a level of experience of top-level footballwithin the club.[LNB]The policy in the past was to buyplayers who the club hoped would be able to step up to the mark. And nodoubt add value in the process.[LNB]Seeking out players of promise isnot a new phenomenon. And the logic driving that policy remains solid - provide these starlets with a platform to thrive and, in themedium term, they will thrive along with the club who can then sellthem on for untold riches.[LNB] If West Brom can retain their status in the Premier League at the same time, it's win-win.[LNB] The problem is, these players need time to develop, to gain that experience. The quality is sometimes lacking.[LNB]I understand that it was a conscious decision to ditch that method and Di Matteo was a force for that change. He wanted players who had significant experience of that level of football.[LNB]Nicky Shorey, in particular, could turn out to be the purchase of the summer. He cost less than £1m and did not put a foot out of place against Spurs.[LNB] Impressive: Peter Odemwingie (right) clashes with Tottenham's Gareth Bale last weekend[LNB]Paul Scharner adds the know-how and he is clearly a big, physical unit. Of the rest, James Morrison, Chris Brunt, Jonas Olsson and Scott Carson have at least a season's experience behind them of top-flight football.[LNB]I like the look of Peter Odemwingie too. He has a streak of devilment in him. And Jerome Thomas really cannot be described as a 'fledgling' any longer. It's time for some of them to deliver.[LNB]My one reservation is whether West Brom have enough goals in them to survive. It's fine being resilient and all the rest, but you still need to pose a goal threat.[LNB]However, it's certainly looking brighter for them than during the first season in the Premier League.[LNB]Anyone remember Ife Udeze? Those Deze's appear to have gone. Thankfully.[LNB] Television journalists have long bemoaned the 'curse of the commentator.' Us hacks in the print media and new media don't have a phrase of our own. Perhaps we should coin one.[LNB]Because it has struck yours truly.[LNB]You head up to Compton, speak to candid Wolves skipper Karl Henry about his love of a hard tackle - either being on the end of one or delivering one - and what happens? The very day your interview is published, he's involved in an incident which ends with Bobby Zamora breaking his leg.[LNB] Dreadful injury: Karl Henry shows concern over Bobby Zamora's injury last weekend[LNB]Having reviewed it myself on television, I'm of the opinion that Henry is in no way culpable for what was a dreadful injury. Two points to make from here. First, to suggest Wolves are a 'dirty' team is just a nonsense.[LNB] More from Neil Moxley... Neil Moxley: Villa fans must back club even if they can't get behind Houllier09/09/10 THE MIDLANDER: Aston Villa supporters right to give Kevin MacDonald easier ride than Martin O'Neill for playing a weakened team in Europe19/08/10 THE MIDLANDER: O'Neill's timing was poor but Villa can be reinvigorated13/08/10 The Midlander: Derby should be happy with nothing less than a top-half finish 05/08/10 THE MIDLANDER: The future might not look so bright, but Coventry fans should try a bit of blue-sky thinking30/07/10 The Midlander: Sousa serves up bright future for Leicester after Pearson's exit23/07/10 The Midlander: Are Wolves set to trump the glory days of Steve Bull era?15/07/10 The Midlander: Fabio Capello's handling of Hart highlights a fatal flaw 29/06/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Fulham'sfans have every right to feel upset on the day if there were a seriesof niggling fouls that contributed still further to the frustrationenveloping Craven Cottage in the wake of Zamora's injury.[LNB]But, having seen Wolves on a number of occasions during Mick McCarthy's reign, to suggest they are over-physical... please.[LNB]Wolves players have seen 12 red cards given against them in 180 competitive matches under Mick McCarthy's first four years at Molineux. One every 15 games.[LNB]According to the boys and girls at Opta, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal picked up 20 in his first four seasons, in 152 fixtures. That's a ratio of a little better than one in seven-and-a-half matches.[LNB]Secondly, Henry's decision to come out and speak about the incident afterwards helped deflate a situation that was rapidly in danger of spiralling out of control.[LNB]Listening to BBC Radio Five's 606 while travelling back from the Hawthorns, I wondered what it was that Henry had done. It sounded awful.[LNB]But, with the captain prepared to speak out about it, at least Wolves had their chance to air their views before the opinion-writers sharpened their pencils.[LNB]This should be noted by press offices at football clubs, really. That not every tricky situation needs a: 'No comment.' Often all that does is inflame a situation.[LNB]And it's to Wolves' credit that Henry was allowed to clarify what had happened from his side of the story following such a sorry episode.[LNB] West Brom 1 Tottenham 1: Van der Vaart shows he's the man for HarryHow former West Brom striker Regis faced the bullet and beat the racistsWEST BROMWICH ALBION FC
