The Saints go limping on, suffering another damaging defeat at the hands of a solid showing from Steve Clarke’s Baggies. Here’s the Stock Check from tonight’s concluding Gameweek 10 encounter…
On The Up
Peter Odemwingie
Without a goal in his last five league appearances, the Nigerian struck a superb brace to offer a reminder of his former Fantasy glories. Odemwingie notched 15 goals and 9 assists in his debut Premier League season but struggled to find double figures for goals last term, often employed in a wider role and with limited starts. That has continued this term, with Steve Clarke handing him just four starts so far.
The West Brom Defence
Having gone four matches without a clean sheet, the Baggies were at their resilient best tonight with the midfield working tirelessly to protect a solid back four unit. West Brom have kept four clean sheets at home this term and the likes of Ben Foster in goal, along with Liam Ridgewell and Gareth McAuley go on offering value. They do have three away games in four, four in the next six. West Brom have conceded in every away trip this season.
Going Down
Rickie Lambert
Earlier in the season, the Saints striker looked to be the budget striker of choice – a brace in the 4-1 home win over Villa taking him to four goals in four starts. Since then, Lambert has gone five games without a goal or assist as the Saints struggle for a Premier League foothold.
Romelu Lukaku
Relegated to the bench to make way for the impressive Shane Long, the on-loan striker is struggling to gain the starts he needs to make a lasting impression. When introduced, Lukaku looks a handful with the potential to offer explosive returns. However, Long’s workrate was on show again tonight and he continues to have a grip on the starting role in Clarke’s preferred 4-5-1 formation.
James Morrison
The Scot missed out tonight having suffered “a slight niggle†in training according to Steve Clarke – we know little more about the injury, although we can presume that Morrison will remain an early doubt for the weekend trip to Wigan.
