This really is make or break for the Albion now. Straight defeats in 6 of their last 6 matches and they will be desperate to end this streak when Blackpool arrive at the Hawthorns on Saturday. Blackpool, who were promoted via the play-offs with Albion last season, have had an overall more successful season than Albion. Expected to be relegated right from the off, enthusiastic Ian Holloway and his troops have defied all odds, reaching 28 points with plenty of matches still remaining. Nonetheless, this game starts four crunch encounters which will be witnessed by the Hawthorns crowds in the coming weeks. For Wigan, Wolves and West Ham are to come, and Roberto Di Matteo should be looking to get maximum points from each of these clashes, if his Baggies are going to give themselves a chance of avoiding this year.
They will have to do it without Jonas Olsson though. The Swedish centre back returned as a second half substitute at the weekend in the poor show against Reading, only to receive two yellow cards within fifteen minutes of each other. This will be highly frustrating, seeing as he has been on the sidelines for nearly three months. Pablo Ibanez and Ishmael Miller are both very doubtful with hamstring injuries, but the most concerning is the doubt surrounding Peter Odemwingie's chances. Once again Albion are sweating over his fitness levels, as he continues to struggle with minor niggles, niggles that have hampered his season. It was revealed this week that he only played against Fulham after taking a pain killing injection, so slightly worrying for Head Coach Roberto Di Matteo.
Gabriel Tamas will return from a three match suspension sustained against Blackburn, a very important return to a side who played against Fulham with three natural right backs. Stephen Reid has had a successful operation, meaning his estimated absence now lies at 4, rather than 6 weeks.
With many injuries throughout the squad, a few players who didn't expect to see match action, have been playing. Gianni Zuiverloon came on against Manchester United, following this up with two starts in an unfamiliar centre back position, for which his performances should be praised. 18 year-old James Hurst played fairly well against Reading at right back, the former Portsmouth youngster mainly being credited recently for the performance against Fulham however. He now looks to contest the permanent right back slot with Gonzalo Jara.
Roman Bednar's only start this season came in the 6-0 opening day drubbing against Chelsea. Since then he was frozen out and sent to Leicester on loan. He has now returned and is in contention for a place against Blackpool, with Odemwingie and Miller injured and Marc-Antoine Fortune's inept performances not being up to standard of late.
The big question for the weekend- who will take the No. 1 jersey? Scott Carson's horror show against Fulham gave Boaz Myhill the chance to impress against Reading. Although beaten, the Welsh wizard made a few excellent saves, in the process boosting his chances of a starting berth for the first time in Albion colours.
One player on everybody's lips at the moment: John Carew. The giant Norwegian is said to have accepted a move across the Midlands from Aston Villa. But the red cards of Ashley Young and Emile Heskey in recent matches has left Gerard Houllier short of attacking options. Although the French man and Carew do not have the best relationship, Villa may be in need of their number 10 shortly. Hopefully for Di Matteo, this will not end their chances of signing Carew, singling him out to be the one transfer he expects to happen.
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