This is a must win match for us, surely. After going 3 league matches without a win, we need to get back to winning ways. Fortunately, other teams have not taken advantage of our 3 match winless run. But we cannot always rely on other results as Everton and Arsenal have closed the gap on us. Performance is not really important in this match as long as we win it. We have a good record against WBA in recent times, winning 3 and drawing 3 of our last 6 matches against them. We need to extend that good record.
We need an early goal to settle us down and then a second goal to kill of WBA in this match. Lack of goals have been the main reason for our 4 match winless run which includes the FA Cup defeat to Leeds. Our goals have dried up especialy from our main striker Defoe. I think Defoe badly needs to score in this match to get back his confidence. Dempsey did well to score 2 goals during this run but he needs to be more clinical in front of goal. Our chances of winning this match will be greater if both Defoe and Dempsey scored. Hope they will work together more instead of trying to score from impossible positions.
We have relied too much on Bale to win us matches this season. With us not signing any new striker, we will have to rely even more on Bale for the remaining matches. Bale scored a brilliant goal against Norwich. Hope that goal have boosted his confidence after being poor since returning from suspension. Our performance are influenced by how Bale plays every time. So, hope Bale will play well in this match. Still not sure what Holtby will bring to the team. Can't see him starting this match but hope he will come on and lift the team if and when needed. Want to see Dembele and Lennon involve more in our attacks. For all his hardwork and skills, Lennon should be scoring more goals for us. Similialy, Dembele should be contributing more to our attacks as he has no goal or assist in more than 10 matches now.
Our weakest link has been our defence this season. Just when you think we have overcome our defensive problems, we always concede soft goals. I think until Kaboul returns, we just cannot be solid in defence. Dawson, Caulker and Gallas have always been error prone. You just can't blame Vertonghen for struggling when being paired with one of those. It will help if Walker, Naughton or BAE concentrate more on defence rather than attacks. Just hope Lloris will organize the defence more to stop conceding those silly goals. If we can keep a clean sheet, we would have half won this match.
After going without a win in 3 league matches, it is time for us to get back on winning ways. We should be beating teams like WBA home or away if we want to have any hopes of a top 4 finish. With Everton and Arsenal closing the gap on us, only a win will be acceptable in this match !