On Saturday the Clarets make the trip to the Hawthorns for the first time in three years to face Tony Mowbray’s West Bromwich Albion. August 2003 it was the last time we visited this part of the Black Country, in a game that we led following a Robbie Blake strike, but West Brom responded with 4, one a memorable volley from Artim Sakiri (remember him?).

The Clarets and the Baggies have made a habit of at times avoiding each other since the beginning of the 70s as both clubs yo-yoed the divisions, but the statistics show that it is just one win for the Clarets over West Brom in the last 36 years.

That win came in the 92/93 season following Burnley’s 4^th Division championship the season before. Goals from Steve Harper and Mike Conroy were enough that day as the Clarets overcame a West Bromwich side that was to go onto promotion that season. West Brom’s goal came from the man we loved to hate, Simon Garner of course.

The Burnley v West Brom programme from the fixture in 1992, the last time we tasted victory over the Baggies. 

Tony Mowbray is now the man in charge at West Brom, taking over the managerial position in mid-October following Bryan Robson’s departure the month before. Steve Cotterill was heavily linked with the position in the national press, Barry Kilby stated that there had been no approach from West Brom, whilst Cotterill said he knew as much as anybody else, nothing. Still it had Clarets’ supporters worried for a few weeks until West Brom made the move for Hibernian’s gaffer.

Mowbray’s baptism of fire came as he took charge for the first time in the home fixture to arch rivals Wolves, but his reign got off to the perfect start following a fantastic 3-0 victory ensuring the bragging rights were Albion’s in the Black Country derby.

However, since that win the Baggies have gone out of the League Cup to Arsenal, no disgrace there, but are without a win now in their last four league games, their only point coming in a 3-3 draw with QPR three weeks ago. They lost 2-0 at St Andrews to Birmingham and then followed their draw with QPR with defeats at Derby and a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Norwich City last weekend.

They still cling on to a play-off position, just, sitting in 6^th place going into the game with Burnley, but with a number of clubs hot on their heels, the Baggies will be looking for three points if they are to sustain a play-off charge going into the hectic Christmas schedule.

West Brom welcome back Nigel Quashie from injury following a three game lay-off as a result of a recurrence of an ankle injury, Zoltan Gera will face a fitness test following a calf injury, and former Claret Richard Chaplow could also play a part following his return from a back injury.

Paul Robinson returns from a three game ban following his red card at Birmingham, but Jonathan Greening misses out after receiving a one-match ban as a result of picking up five yellow cards so far this season.

For the Clarets, it’s almost a clean bill of health, with Micah Hyde returning from suspension following his dismissal against Ipswich. John McGreal though looks like he will again be missing as he recovers from the knee ligament injury sustained in the goal-less draw with Southend.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill is anticipating a good game providing the Clarets perform but would not be drawn into any sentimental reunion with former Claret Richard Chaplow. When asked if he was looking forward to seeing him again Cotterill replied, “No, not really” and that he was more concerned about the welfare of his current crop of players.

Should Chaplow shake off his back injury it will be his second appearance against the Clarets following his £1.5 million move to West Brom in January 2005. His other appearance was in the 1-1 home draw with Southampton last season with Chaplow spending three months on loan at St Mary’s as the Baggies struggled in the Premiership resulting in relegation.

With both teams sitting in the play-off positions it has the makings of a good game on Saturday. Burnley will be boosted by a healthy following arriving from Lancashire and a point would be a good result, but a win would be our first over the Baggies in ten meetings and 13 years. Should this happen, come 5 o’clock on Saturday the Burnley faithful will surely be dancing in the streets of Sandwell.

Up the Clarets!

Many thanks to Tim Rigby for the Hawthorns images.