How satisfied have you been with WBA’s start to the season?
If you’d have asked me this three weeks ago I wouldn’t have been too happy. Since then we’ve picked up draws against Spurs and West Ham and beat Arsenal at home. It feels like this is the turning point of our season where we can look to push on. Liverpool is a tricky game, but we’re on a good run at the moment.
How do you feel Tony Pulis is doing with the club?
Not too bad at the moment. He was brought in for some stability and he’s certainly brought that after the appointments of Alan Irvine and Pepe Mel. He’s sorted our defence out now and since he took over we’ve had one of the best defensive records in the whole league. We’ve been a little less attacking, but there’s still plenty of time for him to change that.
Rickie Lambert didn’t quite make it at Liverpool. How has he started for the Baggies?
Lambert has been much like Albion’s season so far. A less than impressive start but seems to be growing into it the further the season progresses. He looks like he needs a sustained run in the side to get his confidence back up, but that being said he still possesses lots of quality for this level.
How much have you seen of LFC this season and have you been impressed?
I actually watch a fair bit of Liverpool due to most my friends supporting Klopp’s tricky Reds. I think the squad has good potential, but you’re missing a clear on the pitch leader. Since you lost the spine of Carra, Gerrard and Suarez everything seems to be rushed. You’ll go far under Klopp though and I reckon you’re only three or four signings off challenging for the title every season.
Who should Liverpool be wary of from WBA’s side?
James McClean has been in great form recently and he possess the raw pace to give anybody trouble. Rondon will look to bully the Liverpool centre-halves with his power and strength in the air.
Who should WBA be wary of from LFC’s side?
Whoever plays on the wings. Craig Dawson and Chris Brunt aren’t natural full-backs and have struggled this season when they’ve come up against pace and trickery. Someone like Ibe could have a field day against a slow Albion defence.
Do you think WBA will come to Anfield for the win? Or do you think they’ll be playing for the draw?
From what we’ve seen so far this season it looks like it will be go and play for the draw. The recent run we’ve gone on and the fact you lost to Newcastle last weekend could spur Pulis to go for all three points. If he does decide to it will be a real smash and grab job, much like the 2-0 Anfield victory for us a few years back.
Score prediction?
1-1. Benteke and Rondon the scorers.
