West Brom V Tottenham Hotspur at The Hawthorns : Match Preview

30 January 2015 04:31
West Brom V Tottenham Hotspur - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


McManaman in West Brom squad

New signing Callum McManaman goes straight into the squad for West Brom's Barclays Premier League game with Tottenham at The Hawthorns following his arrival from Wigan this week.

McManaman has vowed to be remembered for all the right reasons to finally remove a two-year-old stigma that continues to hang over him.

Following boss Tony Pulis' arrival at The Hawthorns earlier this month, talented winger McManaman became the Welshman's first signing.

Pulis has hailed the 23-year-old as a player with "so much talent", and who "on his day is unplayable", ensuring McManaman has plenty to live up to.

There is one major blot on his copybook, however, as there are many who have not forgotten McManaman's first Premier League start for Wigan in March 2013 at home to Newcastle.

McManaman perpetrated a horror tackle on Massadio Haidara that was fortunate not to break the left leg of the Frenchman.

It was a challenge missed by referee Mark Halsey, while the Football Association were powerless to act at the time due to FIFA-enforced regulations that prevented a retrospective three-game ban.

"There are some people that still go on about that tackle," said McManaman.

"It was my first start, I was just excited. I'd waited for my chance for so long and I felt I was ready, and then that happened.

"It's nothing to be proud of, but it was one of those things.

"Now I just want to be talked about for the good things I do, and hopefully I can do that and change people's minds."

Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill damaged his finger in last weekend's FA Cup win at Birmingham and is now out along with midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (African Nations Cup) and defender Jonas Olsson (Achilles).

Olsson is back in training after four months on the sidelines, but Pulis has conceded the Swede is not yet ready to be included in the squad.

Tottenham reached the Capital One Cup final after a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United sealed a tight 3-2 aggregate victory over the League One side - but boss Mauricio Pochettino is wary of his players losing focus on the games to come before their Wembley confrontation, starting with the tricky trip on Saturday.

"We feel good to get to the final and it is a good moment for the club," he said.

"But we need to stop thinking about the final because we need to be focused on the game tomorrow, it is a tough game against West Brom. We need to realise it is an important thing to get to the final against Chelsea.

"For us, the danger is how we take the game. We need to play our game and be focused and this is my worry.

"It is true that our worry now is to stop thinking about Wembley - we need to plan the strategy because we know for the club, supporters and players it is an important game - but we also need to be ready to play tomorrow and prepare for the next game.

"This is our challenge now. To keep the mentality and stay focused. The most important game is tomorrow. We need to keep fighting and this is the best way to keep our level and arrive in the best condition in the final."


Source: PA