-2 predicted at kick off time tomorrow. Glad I bought some thermal base layers, it's going to be a cold one. Think my dad will be giving it a miss
OPPOSITION VIEW: WBA Ahead of Monday night's game against West Brom, we spoke to Birmingham Live's Albion correspondent Joe Chapman to give us the lowdown on their season so far... What is your view on Tony Mowbray's time at WBA? Loved him. The 2007-08 title winning campaign, when Albion also reached the FA Cup semi-final, was probably my favourite as a supporter. The football was often terrific, they scored over 100 goals so even though they were erratic at the back, they could just out score teams with 'Super' Kevin Phillips up top, Brunt, Morrison Gera and the like behind him. He’s a very good manager at this level and an even better bloke. Alex Pritchard was on loan at West Brom in 2016 - how did that go? Pretty non existent sadly. Tony Pulis often signed players on loan from big clubs and rarely played them. See Serge Gnabry and Brendan Galloway. It was at a time in Albion’s recent history when 40 Premier League points were all that mattered and he sadly didn’t leave much of an impression. How have your free signings, John Swift and Jed Wallace, done since joining in the summer? They've generally been among the better performers in a team which has collectively underachieved so far. Wallace in particular is a real fan favourite. He's a real personality and he applies that character to his game - fans appreciate his work-rate and he has a bit of quality about him too. Swift is a little more reserved and he has made a more subtle contribution, but he has immediately picked up under Carlos Corberan. Where did you expect to finish this season? Are things going according to plan? At the start of the season I'd have said that Albion ought to have been challenging for a play-off place after last year's really dismal campaign. I thought that if Steve Bruce could make a few quality additions, within the tight budget he'd be given, then Albion could make some moves, but they have started so slowly and it cost him his job. One win in 14 is sackable form in this day and age, unquestionably. Is it going to plan? No, but under Corberan there's fresh optimism. What were your thoughts on Steve Bruce? He's a good bloke, but he never made any serious impact after replacing Valerien Ismael. He failed to deliver a bounce at the start of his reign - in fact things got worse - and things never really got significantly better from there. Facts are he took over with Albion in the play-offs and left them in the relegation zone. There's mitigation, but his tenure was a failure, sadly. How's new gaffer Carlos Corberan done? Brilliant. So far. And it's only very early days. The players have gushed about his coaching and attention to detail. You only need to see what he did with Huddersfield to realise that he's got plenty of managerial talent. Corberan is very much a disciple of Bielsa, and he's only 39 so the future is exciting. Hopefully, having won their last three games before the break, they'll have improved even more over this break. I'm very excited to see what they're like on Monday. What are the side's biggest strengths? The obvious strength at the moment is set-pieces - it was non existent under Bruce but already Corberan has brought about a number of goals via the head of Kyle Bartley. Football is quite simple, isn't it? What about their biggest weaknesses? Hmm, their slow starts have been a serious issue for most of the season but even that you'd hope Corberan has addressed and eradicated. They've fallen behind in the first 15 minutes of so many games this season. They're also top of the xG table, even though they're 21st in the actual Championship. So, basically, they don't convert half as many chances as they should. What's your score prediction? Goalscorers? I'm going to go for an entertaining 2-2 draw. Ross Stewart on his return from injury, and Amad to continue his fine form. Thomas-Asante and Wallace to score for us... Finally, where do you predict both sides to finish this season... Both will be between 4th and 10th. Non committal on exact positions because the league is so tight from top to bottom this year!
Not making this one due to work. My season card will still be used. . They might be 3rd bottom but they won't play like a team that's in that position. Extremely tough match, and a point wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. 2-2 I think
I expect a win and countless more after this week when Balllard returns. The good days are coming back. Trust me.
I got myself some of those as well . Some of the Papa John's games were ****ing baltic. It's not so bad where our season tickets are at row 35/36 near the back but down the front is ****ing freezing.
Avoiding defeat would see us in a decent position as we approach the half way stage of the season. 7th if we win. 9th if we draw.
A positive result before heading to Hull next week, who have the worst defensive record in the league! 39 conceded in 22 games!
As everyone knows, my predictions are horrific but we can be top 10 in this league. Nowt to fear at all imo.
With this cold weather, I'm wondering what the chances of it being called off are? The pitch should be fine, but the area around the ground will be like a skating rink
Don’t know what it’s like up there but the snow is pretty and down south overnight. I can see an argument for the game being off tonight based on transport conditions. But I guess things might not be as bad up there?
I was over in Teesside at the weekend cold but no snow, came home last night to nearly 2 inches of snow here. Main roads are ok but side roads are poor so access to stadium might be an issue of there is snow in the ground on Wearside, it's a wait and see situation.
I'm going to Stratford upon Avon today so will see what Midlands conditions are like. West Brom have to travel today and their supporters will have to return home. I expect that'll be a consideration.
Of course we have underground heating.. So the game will not be called off for a frozen pitch.... but the terraces and the surrounding area? Being on Sky of course means all stops will be pulled out to get the game on even without a crowd?
