View From The Town End - West Brom (A)

If there is a comforting thing about the Tottenham defeat, it's that just 6 days later we have a chance to make amends, as we head to the Hawthorns to face West Brom.

Just like last week the opposition feature a former Reading player of the year in Shane Long, but lets hope it's Reading smiling this weekend. Ahead of the game, Baggies fan Liam Martin from WestBrom.com kindly shared with us his thoughts on the game

How do you view West Brom's start to the season?

Very good. Better than any of us could have wished for. We looked at the fixture list and assumed that Reading would be our most realistic chance of getting 3 points, however, the team have proved that notion to be incorrect. We've played some very good stuff to. Against Liverpool the performance from the side was one of the greatest I've seen in my time following Albion, against Spurs we were more than worthy of a point after not being at the races in the first 45 and we were very professional against Everton. Fulham was an off day at what is a tough place to go to. We weren't helped by the Odemwingie red card. Also, just quickly, been very impressed with Steve Clarke too. Very pro-active.

After years of yo-yoing do you feel you've finally established yourself as a Premier League side or are eyes still always gazed at the bottom three?

Given the nature of our budget we are towards the bottom end of the league in that respect and we rely on good coaching and very good scouting. McAuley, Jones, Mulumbu, Olsson, Popov, Odemwingie, Dorrans, Yacob, Rosenberg and I'm sure there's one I've missed have all been scouted and therefore signed for relatively low prices. Dan Ashworth is essential in this process but unfortunately he's seeking pastures new at the FA. I'm usually negative so will always have one eye over those relegation places but I do feel our side is good enough to push on and make that tenth spot ours for numerous seasons to come.

What are your best memories of West Brom v Reading?

I can't say I have many favourite memories to be honest. I would probably have to say the game where we drew 1-1 when Gabriel Tamas equalised late for us. Away end went bonkers that day!

And the worst?

Plenty to be honest, we've usually come off second best to you. The cup game I would say as it denied us an encounter with Aston Vile. Add to that your fans and players had some argy bargy with our stewards and we were beaten by the better side who produced two wonder goals after a Federici mistake.

Shane Long was a big loss for us after signing for the Baggies last summer, what have your fans made of him?

Shane Long has very much split opinion to be honest with the Albion supporters. Firstly we cannot fault his effort or commitment as that is superb. Works his harris off for the side for there just seems to be that lack of premier league quality. He went through a spell last season where he was totally unplayable but Alan Hutton soon put an end to that with his thuggery which saw Long then have endless injury problems. His back, his knees, his heart you name it. To see a more collective view point on Shane Long, I'll provide a link: http://westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=4246.0

Anyone Reading fans should be worried about?

Romelu Lukaku when he features will certainly give your back four problems. I saw you lot on Sunday purely 'scouting' and I wasn't impressed with your back four. Clumsy, lack of pace, lack of strength and generally looking dis-jointed will give us great encouragement. Yacob will set the tempo in hope that Lukaku, Brunt, Gera & Long can provide the ammunition. You never know though, you might play like Barcelona and wail us. It wouldn't surprise me.

Anyone that West Brom fans are worried about?

I don't know about our other fans but I myself aren't worried about anybody to be honest. Perhaps the POG but I would hope that Olsson and McAuley have enough about them. Our centre halves appear to like the muck and bullets of the game.

Any tips for travelling Royals?

Don't come because your going to lose! ;) Erm, it depends to be honest whether you're coming on train/coach or car. Coach or train would be the better option. You can either drink in Birmingham and catch the metro to The Hawthorns, or you can drink near the ground. I would tell you to visit the Vine down Roebuck Lane. Very good curries, very good beer and they accept away fans.

Score Prediction?

Scoreline, erm. 2-1 Albion. I hope.

Thanks again to Liam and you can follow him on Twitter @LiamWBAFC