A Win is Essential

The Baggies got extremely lucky last week against Wolves, as a last minute equaliser was essentially worth four points to the club. Had Wolves held on to that league, we would now be a long way behind them. But thanks to on-loan player Carlos Vela, Roy Hodgson earned a point in his first match in charge for the club.

West Brom's position became increasingly perilous over the weekend as wins for West Ham and Wolves saw the Baggies slip into the bottom three for the first time this season. Now down into nineteenth place the baggies need a huge win against Stoke tonight, which will see them bounce back - three points clear of the bottom three. Another point would be enough to edge them back to fourth bottom while a first win in six would send the Baggies into 16th above Birmingham, who they visit on Saturday. Hodgson now needs to aim to capitalise on this opportunity and MUST remain unbeaten in order for West Brom's survival chances to be kept alive.

However, Albion's luck against Stoke has gone the wrong way over the last few meetings. The Potters' 3-0 win at The Hawthorns in November means they have won seven of their last eight meetings, with West Brom's last victory coming in 2003 and their last away win against Stoke way back in 1982.

Fortunately for Roy Hodgson's side, Tony Pulis' men have lost four of their last five league games and could catch them on a bad day. Another advantage is the team news, with a number of key Stoke players out with injuries, while West Brom appear to be back to full strength. Number one keeper Scott Carson is available again after illness, playmaker midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is also back in contention after a hamstring injury, other star players Graham Dorrans and Jonas Olsson should remain in the side having both been passed fit after slight knocks. Hodgson may also opt to bring Vela back into the starting line-up in place of Marc-Antoine Fortune after the on-loan Arsenal striker scored his first goal for the club last week.


West Brom's probable line-up: Myhill, Tamas, Olsson, Jara, Shorey, Thomas, Scharner/Mulumbu, Brunt, Dorrans, Odemwingie, Vela.

I expect to see Carson left on the bench, despite being declared fit, as Myhill appears to be performing well at the moment

As your title says:

A Win is Essential

But as the rest of your post says our record is not great.

Come on you Baggies show some grit and lets have em!!

Our recent record and overall records against Stoke are neither great. But this is a match I see us with a good chance of winning - the squad is back to full strength and we need a win to get out of the bottom three.

That, my friend... is why 'A Win is Essential'

Now Carson is fit would you drop Myhill?

I've got a feeling Scotty will start tonight,there were rumours he'd start against Wolves until he's Ill.

We need 4 points at least from the next two games imo,I'd be happy with a point here and a win at Blues or vice versa.

I think it's likely we're gonna see Thomas dropped soon as Roy will look to play a narrower game,with Dorrans playing wide right and Brunt left,with Scharner and Mulumbu in the middle.

All we need to escape the bottom three tonight is a single point, but we will then need the whole three points against the bluenoses to stay in a secure position.

Myhill is the right keeper to play in my opinion, because Stoke are all about those setpieces that pressure the keeper. We need someOne who wont make mistakes, which is why Carson is not our man