Finishing Strong: The Final Month
At the start of May we sat in 10th position on the table. We were mathematically safe from Relegation. However I urged the players to continue giving their best. I knew that if we continued to play well and finished the season strong, we could attract better and better players to the club. That would be key to our long-term success.
Boss Smoke: "Men, we're not just playing for a position in the table. We are playing for pride. We want the world to know that we are a legitimate squad. If we continue to win, we will earn respect. We can hold our heads high. Right now consider the teams ahead of us to have a bullseye on their back. I challenge you to overtake them. They are Liverpool, Hull, and Swansea. Believe it or not we have a legitimate shot at a top 8 finish. Now who's up to the Challenge?"
The resounding roar from my men was like music to my ears. We had set our goal, now it was up to us to get after it!
Our fixture list for May was nightmarish. We had to face Arsenal, the 3rd position club at Emirates stadium, we would face Sunderland at home, then Chelsea, the top club in the entire league at Stamford Bridge, and finally Liverpool at home.
The road test against Arsenal quickly got off on the wrong foot. Podolski's strike put the gunners ahead in the 14th minute as Kampi found the striker camped out front in an unmarked scoring position. Our side found a glimmer of hope when Chris Brunt equalized at the near left post in the 49th minute, after we hit Arsenal on a lightning counter. Another goal by Podolski however pulled the Gunners ahead just 3 minutes later. And then two consecutive goals by Giroud put the game out of reach. Cristian Gamboa pulled one back in the 80th minute to make the final score a little more appetizing in a 4-2 road loss.
Boss Smoke: "Look lads, it was a tough loss. And we have another monster of a game ahead of us against Chelsea. But in the meantime we have Sunderland in front of us. Let's get the 3 points and bounce back from this loss with a win."
The Hawthorns homecoming seemed to rejuvenate our men. We seemed to have an extra spring to our step and even a dash of swagger. Our side burst out of the gates firing on all cylinders, scoring 3 goals in the first 34 minutes. Gardner, Sessegnon, and Bazaoer all got on the score sheet. I warned the men at half-time not to get complacent. And this time they heeded my advice.
Strong Swedish defender Jonas Olsson powered home a close-range goal on a well-executed corner set piece to push our lead to 4-nil just a few minutes after the break. Sunderland would not draw blood until the 60th minute thanks to Rodwell's seeing-eye header. Graham Dorrans quelled any hopes of a comeback for the Black Cats by scoring two goals of his own in the 63rd and 79th minute respectively. He punished the Sunderland defenders for failing to mark him tightly. The 6-1 victory clearly delighted the Baggies fans at the Hawthorns.
I would rather scrub away the memories of our visit to Stamford bridge. Suffice to say it was unpleasant. Chelsea demonstrated why they were top class in the entire Premier Division. Our side gave up the most goals we've ever surrendered in a season. Frenchman Roic Remy ran rampant as he scored a rare quadruple against us. Will Keane and Berahino were our sole bright spots as they each contributed a single goal against the Blues in a one-sided 6-2 loss.
And then we arrived at the final game of the season. We were facing Liverpool at home.
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Although Brendan Rogers had piloted the Reds last season to a scintillating 2nd place finish, such glory was a mere after image this season. The sale of Luis Suarez for an astounding £75m left a void that was not easily replaceable. We were within striking distance of the Reds. If we overtook them today, we would finish in the top 8!
I laid it out for the men clearly.
Boss Smoke: "If we topple Liverpool today, the deed is done. We are top 8. Don't worry about what West Ham does, they would need to score over 7 goals to overtake us, and that's not happening. Just focus on beating the foes in front of us. Now who is ready to Defend our Territory?"
Captain Chris Brunt: "Who are the warriors?"
Side: "We are!"
Captain Chris Brunt: "Who will fight with me for honors on this fine day?"
Side: "We will!"
Captain Chris Brunt: "Alright men, on the count of three, let's hear you..."
Side: "WIN! WIN!! WIN!!!"
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Pre-match Interview
Reporter: How would you describe your chances for this upcoming match against Liverpool?
Boss Smoke: Our chances are excellent. The men are confident and believing in one another. We badly want to win this game and achieve a top 8 finish.
Reporter: How would you describe the rival team's manager, Brendan Rogers.
Boss Smoke: I have a great deal of respect for what he has done with Liverpool. They are in good hands. With that being said, my utter focus today is on defeating the Reds.
Reporter: Was it a mistake to sell Luis Suarez?
Boss Smoke: You would have to ask Brendan that question. As I said, my only focus today is on winning.
Reporter: Thanks for your time.
Boss Smoke: A pleasure.
Game Day:
There was actually a light drizzle that day. But the weather was not enough to deter the over 26,000 strong Baggies fans from watching their beloved team take on the Reds at the Hawthorns. I secretly did not mind the weather, hoping it would work out in our favor, perhaps slowing down some of their speedsters such as Coutinho, Sterling, and Sturridge. It was a gametime decision but Sturridge did not see the pitch that day due to a nagging injury. For our side we would be missing the services of stalwart right back Cristian Gamboa. Loanee Steven Moreira would suit up in his place.
Lineup:
I was surprised to find that none of my top 3 feared Liverpool players were in their starting XI that day, but I would not question my good fortune.
First Half:
High off a brilliant month of April, Sallahi helped us burst out the starting gates with a brilliant cross to Scott Brown. Brown finished with aplomb, striking the ball with a scorching midair volley and just like that we were up 1-nil just 3 minutes into the game! The fans roared their approval! The Reds would answer however in the 24th minute. Wonderkid Markovic played a beautiful longball to Balotelli who managed to get past our defense. The streaking Italian forward delivered a powerful strike that our keeper Ben Foster was powerless to stop. And just like that the game was knotted at 1 apiece.
It would not take long for our side to deliver a response as we pressured Liverpool into giving up a corner. In this case our defenders showed our forwards how to score. Central defender Joleon Lescott simply tapped in the short range rebound after young defensive midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu delivered a cracking shot which riccocheted off Mignolet's hands. We would take the well deserved 2-1 lead into halftime.
Boss Smoke: "Often times the slimmest of margins separates the winners from the losers. Ask yourselves this men, which category do you fall under? All our fans are watching us on this day and in this hour. Let's make it our finest! Let's give them a good memory to take home and a result to shout about!"
Second Half:
The beginning of the second half featured a struggle for territory, neither side gaining a marked advantage. But then Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard tripped up a younger and fleeter of foot Will Keane, desperate not to let the striker get by him. This drew a yellow card from the zebras. And with that the momentum shifted. Liverpool was on their back heel, and our side was growing more brazen with each attack run. A corner was earned, and our continual drilling at set pieces paid off. Youssouf Mulumbu's thunderous shot from the crown of the penalty area beat Mignolet to the bottom right corner and the Hawthorns erupted in celebration!
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Youssouf Mulumbu celebrates after his goal gave the baggies a commanding 3-1 lead.
Although we had struck a serious blow to Liverpool's hopes of victory, they were not quite out of it yet. To their credit, they fought back with Rogers immediately bringing on Borini and Emre Can in a bid to salvage the game.
The game was not sealed until a beautiful flowing team move, that brought delight to this manager's eyes and tears to Liverpool supporters. The crisp ball movement featured no less than 5 West Brom players touching the ball, with the ultimate setup by youngster Will Keane who found Ylli Sallahi waiting to deliver the last nail in the coffin. And deliver he did with a ringing top shelf shot, which sailed past the outstretched hands of Mignolet straight into the back of the net! The 82nd minute goal sealed the match and Baggies fans roared their approval! We capped the season with a memorable 4-1 victory at the Hawthorns.
Post-match Press Conference
Boss Smoke: "First I would like to thank the players who have made this wonderful season possible. We could not have accomplished what we did this season without everyone buying in. This is a team of warriors and I am thankful I was given the opportunity to lead them. Next I would like to thank all the ardent supporters of the Baggies. The fans support throughout this long season, has been tremendous, and every one of our players loves suiting up to play for them! Next, I would like to thank Chairman Jeremy Peace for believing in me, and sticking with me even through lean times. And of course, last of all, I want to thank my family for all their support and love. Without them, I would not be half the man that I am today. Much love to my mum!!"
And as expected there were countless additional questions I answered that day, about my players, about my coaching strategy, about Roger's curious decision not to play Sterling or Coutinho (which I sidestepped), but overall the feeling generated was that of excitement at our accomplishment. We had finished top-8 after being at the very dregs of the Premier Division!! I would sleep very soundly indeed that night.
May Fixtures and Final Premier Division Standings: