WBA 2-2 QPR

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while the albion have hit another little patch of poor results (2 points from a possible 9), simon cox rolls on with 6 goals in 7 games now - including the equalizer deep into injury time to help the baggies avoid a second home defeat in the space of a week.


the thing that was different about this was that it was the first time this year where the team played generally well - they kept up the pressure on rangers for most of the game - and didn't get full points. i've seen the baggies play badly and win. i've seen them play badly and lose. i've even seen them play badly and earn a draw. but i haven't seen them play this well and not get the result that they absolutely deserved. of course, it was common in the premier league but heretofore unseen in the championship this year.

to be fair, it was really just a bit of good luck that fell for QPR after what has been a horrendous month for them - and after starting the season as one of the form teams in the division, as well. truthfully, the play that saw jonas olsson head in an own goal from an incoming corner-kick could just as easily have been called back for a foul, as the big swede was obviously pushed in the back during the scramble for position in front of goal.



as for the albion - and as good as some of the football has been - i still don't think we've seen this team firing on all cylinders yet. while simon cox has found a really hot hand and may be a better striker than we may have at first suspected, none of the other forwards have found consistent form and made for the kind of season that the baggies had in winning the championship title two years ago.

it was obvious that we've been missing jerome thomas who scored his 6th goal of the season and has been - along with chris brunt - the best player on the team this year. we should have probably won this one 3 or 4-2, but that isn't going to happen until another one of the strikers also finds some form.

of course, luke moore is playing ok, but not doing so well. he's a bit dozy and slow to react to unexpected opportunity, but if he gets the right ball in behind the back four he's a good striker... just nothing falling for him at the moment. i still think they should give chris wood a start paired with simon cox. especially since they can now bring bednar on as substitute.

i've heard it said that when things are going well, that's the time to buy. this being true, the baggies are going to have to look at acquiring a top left-back, a good central defender and another striker during the transfer activities in january if they want to challenge for the division title this year.