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Date: 28/12/97
Scorer: Hunt (62)
Albion finally put their losing sequence behind them with a point against bogey team Stoke City, but again the Baggies should have wrapped up all three points. The game was always going to be hard fought and so it proved in the first half with both teams failing to break down the opposition's defence. Albion were forced into attack soon after the break though when Stoke scored. Although heads dropped for a few minutes, Albion soon began to look dangerous and the feeling a goal would soon follow increased when a clash of heads between Hughes and Stoke keeper Muggleton forced the stopper to leave the field for stitches. He was replaced by an outfield player and Hunt soon levelled the score on 62 minutes when he hit home following a scramble. Albion had chances to wrap up the game, Hunt guilty of a particularly good chance when put through.
Team: Miller, McDermott, Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Murphy, Butler, Hamilton (Coldicott 35, Evans 60), Hughes, Hunt, Kilbane. Sub (not used) Dobson Attendance: ??,??? Steve's View: A draw is better than nothing. Let's hope the Cup match next week will give Smith time to make the changes he needs to kick off a winning streak in the league. Man of the Match:Andy Hunt - back to scoring ways
Date: 26/12/97
Scorer: Kilbane (77)
Denis Smith's first game as Albion boss got off to the worst possible start when Andy McDermott put the ball beyond a despairing Alan Miller after just 35 seconds of the Boxing Day clash. The Baggies were left chasing the game after the unfortunate opening and responded well by forcing Reading back in the opening minutes. Both Hamilton and Sneekes were thwarted by great saves after shooting firmly from just inside the area and Albion were unlucky on a number of occasions as they dominated proceedings. Reading's second goal from a badly defended right wing cross forced Albion to pour forward even more and Mardon was unlucky not to equalise right on half-time as his header hit a post. Albion continued to dominate in the second half, but again failed to convert their chances. The introduction of Evans just after the hour saw Albion convert to a three man attack and the move was rewarded with a goal when Evans flicked on a header for Kilbane to poke home just his second goal of the campaign on 77. Albion frantically fought for an equaliser and Sneekes also got it near the end, but shot just over. Then, Kilbane hit the outside of the post with a header in injury time.
Team: Miller, McDermott, Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Mardon (Dobson 87), Flynn (Hughes 32), Hamilton, Butler (Evans 65), Hunt, Kilbane Attendance: 10,154 Steve's View: The Baggies can count themselves unlucky not to come away with a point, but you can't give goals away after 30 seconds and expect something from the game. The statistic of five defeats in six games says it all. Man of the Match:Kevin Kilbane - scored and looked a threat on the wing when played in
Date: 20/12/97
An inept performance from Albion condemned them to yet another defeat and made the announcement of a new manager a top priority. The Baggies never got going in the game and found it difficult to break down a resilient Huddersfield side. Bob Taylor returned to the side, but found it impossible to recapture the form that made him look so dangerous as a late sub against Sunderland. The Baggies created little in either half and, apart from a lively little spell, never looked like beating the divison's bottom side. Both Huddersfield's goals resulted in slack defending from Albion, with Miller possibly at fault for the second. All in all, Albion failed to give the fans the Christmas present they were hoping for and will have to improve dramatically against Reading on Boxing Day if the season is not to go from bad to worse.
Team: Miller, McDermott, Dobson (Evans 76), Sneekes, Mardon, Butler, Hamilton, Taylor (Hughes 64), Hunt, Kilbane (Smith 68).Burgess Attendance: 14,619 Steve's View: Albion really have to win this sort of game if even the top ten is a realistic possibility. Very disappointing and probably the worst performance of the season. Man of the Match:Tony Dobson - looked strong in a weak side.
Date: 13/12/97
Albion went down to an on-fire Sunderland team despite playing some excellent football and largely dominating the first half. Albion looked strong from the kick-off, with some excellent inter-passing and probing attacks on both flanks. Kevin Kilbane looked particularly dangerous with some fantastic runs until Sunderland reorganised and marked him out of the game. Albion were very unlucky not to score in the first half after carving out some excellent chances, but Sunderland went ahead just minutes after Albion had twice hit the woodwork when Phillips headed home. The home team scored again early in the second half leaving Albion to chase the game. The Baggies never looked capable of pegging back the deficit and went down to yet another defeat.
Team: Miller, Burgess, Nicholson, Sneekes (Taylor 76), Dobson, Mardon, Butler, Hamilton, Flynn (Hughes 62), Hunt, Kilbane. Sub (not used): Evans Attendance: 29,231 Steve's View: Warning bells were sounded by Albion's failure to turn a reasonable display into a vital away point. The team looks as if it may start struggling to live up to its early season form. Man of the Match:Kevin Kilbane - faded, but proved why he was so highly rated at Preston
Date: 6/12/97
Scorers: Sneekes 17, Hughes 78, Hunt 85
An exciting match at the Hawthorns saw Albion put Ray Harford's departure behind them to regain third place in the league. Stockport faced the Baggies on the back of an impressive unbeaten run, but it was Albion who took the game by the scruff of the neck and deservedly went ahead on 17 minutes. Goalkeeper Nixon found Hunt shot too hot to handle and Sneekes was on hand to tuck away the rebound. The Dutchman, suffering from flu, departed the action just over ten minutes later to be replaced by Flynn. Albion easily managed to hold onto their lead against a direct Stockport side and it was against the run of play when the Lancastrians equalised on the hour. Albion didn't let their heads drop though and substitute Hughes headed home for his fifth goal of the season on 78. Top scorer Andy Hunt made it 3-1 with a stunning 25-yard drive five minutes from the end and although Stockport managed to pull a gaol back in injury time, it was ultimately a comfortable victory for Albion.
Team: Miller, Holmes, Dobson, Sneekes (Flynn 31), Burgess, Mardon, Butler, Hamilton, Evans (Hughes 67), Hunt, Kilbane (Smith 81) Attendance: 13,957 Steve's View: Albion did well to lift themselves after Harford's departure with one of their better Hawthorns displays. Three goals in a game is encouraging, let's hope we can keep it up. Man of the Match:Andy Hunt - another impressive display topped with a fantastic goal
Date: 2/12/97
Albion stumbled to their second home defeat of the season after a thoroughly disappointing performance against struggling Manchester City. The Baggies failed to get going in a game that would have underlined their promotion credentials. Every department looked weak, with the defence unusually edgy and the attack never really in the game. In contrast, City looked assured for a side near the foot of the table, with Georgian international Kinkladze in fine form. Albion started the brighter and although City soon took a grip on the game, two excellent first half chances fell to Hamilton. The first was deflected for a corner and the second pushed away for a corner by the keeper. After a goalless first half, City took the lead when Dickov scored on 55 minutes after Smith was disposessed. Albion responded and should have got back in the game when Mardon's header from a corner was parried, but Evans follow up was scrambled away.
Team: Miller, Holmes (Hughes 67), Smith, Sneekes (Evans 45), Burgess, Mardon, Coldicott, Hamilton, Butler, Hunt, Kilbane. Subs: Dobson (not used) Attendance: 17,904 Steve's View: The rumours linking Harford to the QPR job coupled with this defeat makes for a very depressing day. We need to get it right against Stockport on Saturday, who outclassed Man City at the weekend! Man of the Match:Ian Hamilton - worked hard for the team