This may be a funny thing to say about a club only eight points ahead of you in the table, but Pompey are now is where all Albion fans would like their club to be. The South Coast club not only survived in the Premiership after achieving promotion in 2003, but are now mid-table this season. Pompey are now in that interesting position where a few less points would put them in danger of relegation, while a few more points would mean European football at Fratton Park next season. Certainly, however, this is a club Albion will need to beat if they hope to remain this the top flight next season. Two points now separate Albion from the other two clubs in relegation places, and the gap between the bottom of the table and safety will only get wider if the Baggies don't start earning the points. Assistant coach Nigel Pearson has called these next three matches against Pompey, Charlton and the derby with Blues an "acid test" - and this will be a test to see whether Albion have got the bottle to make it in the Premiership. Darren Purse, Cosmin Contra, Darren Moore and Kanu are all battling injury to be fit for Saturday - and here's hoping they will be ready. Sad news this week as Larus Sigurdsson, one of foundations of the Albion back line during the last few years, has been forced into retirement from professional football. The Icelandic defender had been unable to overcome serious injuries to both knees. I know a lot of Baggies fans will remember Siggy's important contributions to the Albion teams of these recent years. He will be missed.
Portsmouth 3 - West Bromwich Albion 2 The Fates must be joking, right? Five minutes from three points well taken, but Albion leave Fratton Park with ZERO points??? UNBELIEVABLE. JUST UNF***INGBELIEVABLE.
What's happened to Darren Purse? Two own goals in the last four matches! And he walked away from this latest blunder with a grin on his face! C'mon you BAGGIES! Stuff Charlton.