Source: Daily_Mail
West Bromwich Albion have an extra steel now that could see them beat the drop
Pure delight: Chris Brunt celebrates after scoring West Brom's equaliser against TottenhamThe 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.And I have to confess I came within a whisker of taking them up on their offer.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.I'm glad, however, that I kept faith with Roberto Di Matteo - and his chairman Jeremy Peace.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.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.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.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.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. If West Brom can retain their status in the Premier League at the same time, it's win-win. The problem is, these players need time to develop, to gain that experience. The quality is sometimes lacking.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.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. Impressive: Peter Odemwingie (right) clashes with Tottenham's Gareth Bale last weekendPaul 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.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.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.However, it's certainly looking brighter for them than during the first season in the Premier League.Anyone remember Ife Udeze? Those Deze's appear to have gone. Thankfully. 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.Because it has struck yours truly.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. Dreadful injury: Karl Henry shows concern over Bobby Zamora's injury last weekendHaving 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. 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.But, having seen Wolves on a number of occasions during Mick McCarthy's reign, to suggest they are over-physical. please.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.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.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.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.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.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.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. 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