Thanks to
dreamer for these reports
Get ready for another huge game
March 2, 2007
Sunderland EchoDRAW breath for another big one.And ask yourself if your nerves can take another shredding after the late, late shows against Birmingham and Derby.
Sunderland's pursuit of promotion has been dogged and determined. For a long time, it appeared they would never get into the top six, but now the very top is a possibility, particularly if they gain a positive result at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies are going well, however, and tomorrow could be the hardest of this promotion triumverate.
There's a school of thought that falling out of the FA Cup after extra time and penalties against Middlesbrough in midweek will take something away from Albion.
They will be missing Nathan Ellington, sent off against Boro, but Championship clubs are used to playing three games in a week and I don't think that energy should be an issue for Tony Mowbray's team, particularly as they can go top again.
Sunderland have looked a lot more settled in recent weeks. For a while after Roy Keane's arrival, you were wondering how many changes he would make this time.
But the back four has had a consistency of personnel and the front pairing has remained the same in the last four games.Midfield has seen changes and there will probably be another this weekend with Dean Whitehead available again after his ban against the Rams.
Whitehead's availability means Derby matchwinner Liam Miller or Dwight Yorke could miss out, and I think Keane will see Miller as the man to step back.
It will be interesting to see if the rested Anthony Stokes gets involved again after he was left out of the Derby squad.
West Brom is another of those grounds that tend to throw up good games. I can remember some belting Black Country trips during the Peter Reid years and it was the scene of an all-too-rare Premiership success last season, of course.
With everything that is at stake tomorrow, it's another game to relish.
West Brom 1 Sunderland 1
Mowbray looks forward to clash
March 2, 2007
Sunderland EchoWEST BROM boss Tony Mowbray says both sides will relish the challenge when Sunderland visit The Hawthorns in a promotion six-pointer tomorrow.
The Black Cats carry the confidence of an eight-game unbeaten league run while Albion know victory would given them a six-point cushion over the Wearsiders with 10 games to go.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane was at The Hawthorns as West Brom exited the FA Cup in a fifth round replay with Middlesbrough, which went to extra time and penalties.
Mowbray said: "Roy has a good team of his own and I'm pretty sure he's not going to be fazed by watching us. "He will be concentrating on his own side. "This is a good challenge for both sets of players.
"Roy had a busy period when he took over Sunderland and made a lot of changes in personnel, but he's now finding a successful formula. "They retain the ball well, create chance and play a decent brand of football."
Mowbray was one of the contenders for the February Manager of the Month award, which went to Keane yesterday.
The Irishman scoffed at the accolade, insisting: "I have to be honest and say it irritates me a little.It's a team game and I'm not a big fan of individuals being picked out, especially midway through the season when nothing has been achieved.
"So I'll have to say it'll probably go in the garage."
Mowbray wasn't too upset to miss out on the honour, adding: "I've been reading Roy's comments and he's right."I've got some awards given to me while I was in Scotland (at Hibs) and they're still in boxes somewhere. It will mean nothing to Roy to be Manager of the Month in February if he does not get his side promoted and that is how we feel, too."
*Baggies today announced a 25 per cent cut in season ticket prices in a bid to boost attendances.