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Maybe that lack of confidence was reflected in the dreadfully low turn out of Burnley fans, or was it the fact that West Brom were charging £20 a ticket for a match televised live by Sky? Whatever the reason it was hard to believe that twice in the last three years we have filled the away end and today had just a smattering in a sit where you want situation.
The Hawthorns is an impressive stadium, one I enjoy visiting more than most and one where the home fans generate a terrific atmosphere. The poor atmosphere at the Turf is quite often put down to it being all seater but West Brom is a stadium to disprove that theory and the noise from the home fans really is awesome.
Prior to kick off there was a minute’s silence for a former West Brom goalkeeper of the 1950s Jim Sanders who died yesterday and also for their former manager Ray Harford who passed away last Saturday. I am pleased to report that it was observed impeccably by supporters of both clubs.
As expected it was Arthur Gnohere who stood down for new signing David May, otherwise it was the same team as had started at Chesterfield in midweek. But we started nervously and although they created nothing the home side certainly were having the possession the first few minutes.
But gradually we started to play our way into the game with our passing game and almost went in front when a Tony Grant header went just wide of the Albion goal. There was no doubt we were getting on top and just before the half hour we took the lead.
As last week’s first goal it was a Robbie Blake free kick, this time from further out, but it looked as though we had to be thankful for some poor goalkeeping from Russell Hoult. Nevertheless though we were in front and probably worth the lead at that stage of the game.
It did succeed in bringing the home side to life and new signing Bernt Haas hit a powerful shot just wide. But if that was a screamer then their next effort was something else and brought the scores level.
Sometimes you tend to look at who has made a mistake when you concede a goal but having given away possession this goal was all about one player, Albion’s new Macedonian Artim Sakiri. He must have been all of 30 yards out when he let go with his left foot and hit an absolute screamer that flew into the top corner.
Brian Jensen, who had received a good reception from the Baggies’ fans before kick off, had no chance whatsoever.
We were almost back in the lead almost from the kick off and should have been. After a well worked move a Tony Grant shot was cleared off the line but fell kindly to Alan Moore who should have done better than hit the second effort onto the post.
The rest of the half was reasonably even and the half time score of 1-1 was probably just about right.
West Brom were the brighter side at the beginning of the second half and new striker Rob Hulse should have done better than shoot when he had team mates unmarked but that let off only delayed the moment when the home side took the lead.
It came from a left wing corner and again we allowed a player a completely free header, it was Hulse, who made no mistake from point blank range. It was another poor goal to give away by the Clarets, we continue to give too many goals away from set pieces.
The set back though spurred us on and we started to play some good stuff, for the first time in this second half. And we could have drawn level quickly when Glen Little was sent tumbling in the box only for referee Clattenburg to turn down the penalty appeals.
We were putting West Brom under some pressure with our forward play but again much of our excellent approach work was wasted with a lack of forwards in the team. Ian Moore thankfully will be able to return after this game whilst it was good to see Gareth Taylor at the game although he is some way from playing again.
Tme finally ran out on the Clarets in the cruellest of ways as West Brom, or should that be Lee Hughes, finished us off.
With just a couple of minutes left he hammered in a dipping volley from well outside the box. For Hughes, a prolific scorer in his first spell at West Brom, it was his first league goal for them since his return in August last year. And just to show he hadn’t lost his ability altogether he went and did it again a minute later to complete the scoring at 4-1.
At the final whistle the Burnley fans filed out dumbstruck – the scoreline suggested we had thrown one in but nothing could be further from the truth. Whether we deserved to lose or not is debatable, I think we might have been worth a point, but this game was never a 4-1 game and it did take some believing that we had lost the game so heavily.
But it does mean no points from the first two games and we really do have to start getting points on the board, and quickly. We don’t want a start like last season when it took us five games to get our first point.
Two of the goals conceded today were superb strikes but it has to be a concern that having conceded a record 89 goals last season we have already conceded seven in the first two league games this season.
Having said that my two main candidates for man of the match were both from the back four. David May had an excellent debut and if he plays as well as that every week then the goals against will surely dry up.
But my man of the match was full back Lee Roche. He defender superbly today, winning tackles, using his pace to get back and cover and also offered great support when we went forward. He was replaced before the end of the game and it can only be hoped that the injury was not too serious.
So not as bad a performance as the score would suggest but the need for our first points becomes more urgent. I do though think we could just have lost today to the potential champions.
The teams were,
West Brom: Russell Hoult, Thomas Gaardsoe, James Chambers, Joost Volmer, Bernt Haas, James O’Connor, Jason Koumas (Phil Gilchrist 84), Artim Sakiri (Andy Johnson 67), Neil Clement, Rob Hulse, Scott Dobie (Lee Hughes 52). Subs not used: Joe Murphy, Danny Dichio.
Burnley: Brian Jensen, Lee Roche (Dean West 78), David May, Graham Branch, Mo Camara, Luke Chadwick, Paul Weller, Tony Grant, Alan Moore (Richard Chaplow 62), Robbie Blake, Glen Little. Subs not used: Arthur Gnohere, Paul Scott, Matt O’Neill.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Northumberland).
Attendance: 22,489.