14-12-2024, 13:29
Just when it was looking like Albion couldn't win in a month of Sundays, we went and did exactly that. The midweek victory over Coventry came eleven days into a December when all four of our weekend fixtures fall on the Sabbath, and so our surprisingly fruitful month of Sundays continues tomorrow with a trip down to potential playoff rivals Watford.
The Hornets been tough opposition for us of late, and both our encounters last season ended 2-2; you have to go back eight years for our last win against them, and all the way to November 2007 for our last triumph at Vicarage Road. It certainly doesn't help matters that Watford have made their home a fortress so far this season, unbeaten there in their last thirteen outings with clean sheets in eight of them, including the last four in a row. No visiting team has penetrated the Watford armour in WD18 since 5th October (though naturally, it begs the question whether slipping through might be a bit easier if they relocated to WD40). But as we all know, Albion have been equally tough customers on the road, and no other team in the division can boast as little as one defeat on their travels so far. The unstoppable force meets the immovable object? Maybe not; with Albion's injury woes affecting our ability to rotate coming into the crowded Christmas schedule, it wouldn't surprise me if there are some tired bodies out there tomorrow, and so Watford have to be favourites.
Still, favourite doesn't mean shoo-in, and the Baggies may have some crucial wind in their sails from the Coventry win. Following it up with a draw here would be a decent consolidation.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley