Top of the table Baggies in FA Cup replay

By Jemma Tappenden
February 27 2007

The Baggies moved to the top of the table this weekend with a point at Leicester City, but now they must turn their attention to the FA Cup, as the press for a place in the Quarter Finals against either Manchester United or Reading.

This weekend saw the baggies move to the top of the table despite only claiming a point off the Foxes. In the end the point alongside Albion’s phenomenal goal difference was enough to clinch top spot – for the time being at least. Derby County’s defeat against Sunderland meant that Albion went level on points at the top with the East Midlands side. But for the time being at least the Baggies will have to turn their attentions away from the league, as they prepare to take on Boro in an FA Cup replay staged at the Hawthorns tonight.

Boss Mowbray is certainly relishing this one. Albion will face a tough test to contain the strike force of Viduka and Yakubu, who have netted 27 goals this season between them. It was a challenge Albion defenders Davies and Clement certainly rose to at the Riverside on the first meeting between the sides 10 days ago. Davies was dismissed during that encounter for two bookable offences, both involving Viduka and Yakubu.

Mowbray said:
“Our boys should see playing against Premiership opposition as a big challenge”
“I’m sure lessons have been learnt and I look forward to the contest between their back two and our front two”

Despite the excitement of the game, which sees the winner go through to face either Manchester Utd or Reading in the quarter finals, to be screened on the BBC, Mowbray cannot help but keep one eye firmly placed on the league.

Mowbray who has been nominated for this months Manager of the Month Award is only too aware of the importance of the Baggies clash against Sunderland at the Hawthorns this Saturday. Sunderland have very much hit form at the right time it would seem, and have shot up the table in recent weeks. The gaffer is very clear that 3 points on Saturday is the priority, as Albion’s lead at the top of the table sees them only 4 points ahead of 8th placed Wolves, who themselves have found a recent spate of good form, taking the last 12 points from a possible 12. This means a whole host of teams are still in contention for the two automatic promotion spots and 4 playoff places. And it looks likely that a lot of position swapping is on the cards before the Championship table is finally resolved.