Have to say I'm more in the glass half empty brigade about the game. The result was needed and we got it just about. Cuellar made a difference at the back and he anticipated everything but made a horrific mistake at the end that thankfully wasnt punished. Our wide players finally showed a bit of application and that was key in the second half as West Brom couldnt get their wide duo into the game. Hogg was combative, Heskey was good in the first half, Young brilliant in the second half. Lichaj showed some promise too.
But there were many negatives. Bannan was a total passenger in midfield. Lost really and needs a spell out of the side. Maybe booting Ireland out was required but I felt he did enough in Anfield to be selected ahead of the Scottish Xavi. Hogg is so limited with the ball and as a result Ashley Young found it difficult to get in the game as they couldnt find him. That is what made his second half performance so good as it was mostly his industry that got him the ball and he used it excellently. Lichaj's dive in first ask questions later approach got him by ok generally but Cuellar had to do a lot of cleaning up behind him. Thought he looked a good athlete anyway and was decent on the ball but felt Thomas troubled him too. Warnock was pathetic in the first half. West Brom targetted him and he was exposed badly. In the second half he made a few decent interceptions but dont know why West Brom didnt get the ball out there more often. Collins improved too after a very shaky start but I still didnt think he was great. Heskey was hopeless in the second half. Fitness hopefully the issue. Thought Friedel was shaky again and how we didnt see out the clean sheet was worrying. West Brom had a glorious chance to equalise too. Dont get me wrong those three points were badly needed but Wigan is as crucial really. If Luke Young is back Id certainly put him in there ahead of Warnock as Nzogbia will surely target that flank. Id bring Clark in next to Reo Coker in midfield for height alone as we are being destroyed at set pieces. Heskey ahead of Gabby too for the moment.
