Baggies v Blues Match Preview

By Martyn Todd
December 17 2004

Bryan Robson comes face-to-face with his old mate Steve Bruce as Baggies battle Blues at St Andrews, old friendships will be cast aside as both managers will be hoping for all 3 points at the final whistle.

Match

Birmingham City vs West Bromwich Albion

Location

St Andrews (Birmingham City)

Kick-Off

12:00 (Noon)

Team News

West Bromwich Albion - Keeper Russell Hoult has been passed fit after a picking up a knee injury during training on Tuesday. Defenders Darren Moore and Cosmin Contra are both rated 50/50.

Birmingham City - Steve Bruce was sweating on the fitness of Mario Melchiot, but it is thought the ex-Chelsea man should be fit to play.

Ones-To-Watch

West Bromwich Albion - (Jason Koumas) If Contra doesn't play, then it is almost certain Koumas will make his first start under Bryan Robson, and judging on how sharp he looked last week against Charlton, Koumas will cause the Blues some problems.

Birmingham City - (Julian Gray) I put Julian Gray the One-To-Watch when we played Palace last season because of his pace and skill and he has looked even more impressive since his switch to St Andrews.

Directions To The Ground

Click HERE for ground directions to St Andrews

Likely Line-Ups

West Bromwich Albion - Hoult, Scimeca, Purse, Clement, Haas, Koumas, Greening, Gera, Johnson, Kanu, Earnshaw subs from Hulse, Horsfield, Gaardsoe, Albrechtsen, Robinson, Dyer, Sakiri, Kuszczak (gk)

Birmingham City - Taylor, Tebily, Laziridis, Cunningham, Upson, Johnson, Savage, Carter, Dunn, Morrison, Heskey subs from Clapham, Gray, Vaesen, Yorke, Clemence, Martin Taylor