Baggies boss Tony Mowbray says he is expecting a response from his players in the clash with Colchester after losing to Southampton.
A six-game unbeaten run came to an end on the south coast at the weekend when the side went down by 3-1 to the Saints as Mowbray became the latest manager to lose their next match after being named manager of the month.
The Baggies boss believed his side lacked their usual intensity in the game and he told the expressandstar: "It hasn't been a problem all season, so I'm pretty sure it won't be one to get it back. That also depends on what team I pick next time because we've got six players away playing two games in a short period of time and coming back on the Friday before we go to Colchester."
05 October 2007
Stoke boss Tony Pulis may have to call on Belgian teenager Ritchie De Laet for the visit of Colchester after injury decimated his defence.
The 18-year-old has yet to feature for the Potters since his move from Royal Antwerp but could be handed a debut after Gabriel Zakuani became the latest defender on the Britannia Stadium treatment table.
However, De Laet is likely to be on the bench if Carl Dickinson is passed fit to start at left-back, with Andy Wilkinson moving into the centre to partner Ryan Shawcross.
Zakuani was forced out of the 1-1 draw at West Brom in midweek with a hamstring injury which will keep him out for at least a fortnight, while Clint Hill is a month away from a return from his broken rib.
Rory Delap could come back into the equation after his groin injury but John Eustace will hope to keep his place in midfield after impressing at The Hawthorns.
Vincent Pericard will again be in the squad after his recent jail sentence for perverting the course of justice and will be hoping to get on for his first action of the season.
Colchester will give Kevin McLeod a late fitness check.
The winger missed Wednesday night's 4-2 win over QPR after coming down with flu, with Danny Granville handed a rare start on the left of midfield.
Goalkeeper Aidan Davison is close to being fit following a groin strain but could struggle to oust Dean Gerken once again.
Veteran striker Teddy Sheringham is being nursed back to full fitness following a hamstring strain and will not be risked, while midfielder Kevin Watson has suffered a slight setback in his recovery from Achilles trouble.
Hungarian defender Bela Balogh is pushing for a place in the squad after a hamstring injury.
England Under-17 winger Medy Elito was named on the bench for the first time against Rangers and will hope to be involved again.
04 October 2007
QPR caretaker manager Mick Harford has hinted he will look to bolster his defence with loan signings after their 4-2 defeat at Colchester.
The R's remained rooted to the foot of the Championship table following Wednesday's heavy defeat at Layer Road which came just 48 hours after Harford was placed in temporary charge following the sacking of John Gregory.
"It was a very, very open game and end-to-end defensively," he said.
"But we're very short at the back at the moment and we're leaking goals for fun. We have to do something about that."
Meanwhile, former Premier League managers Stuart Pearce and Glenn Roeder have both been linked with the managerial vacancy at Loftus Road.
02 October 2007
Gianluca Vialli and Martin Allen have emerged among the early favourites to succeed John Gregory following his sacking as Queens Park Rangers manager yesterday.
Rangers are currently bottom of the Championship table after picking up only three points from seven matches, culminating in Sunday's 5-1 defeat against West Brom.
Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone recently have had a £14?million takeover bid recommended and have already signalled their ambition to take the club into the Premiership within four years.
Vialli denied wanting to replace Gregory after being pictured in the directors' box at Loftus Road, but the former Chelsea manager is a friend of Briatore and could change his mind now that a vacancy has arisen.
Allen, who spent more than six years at QPR as a player during the 1980s, is available after leaving Leicester City just four games into the season.
First-team coach Mick Harford has been appointed caretaker manager.
QPR have scored just once at Loftus Road in the league this season in a campaign overshadowed by the road death of teenage striker Ray Jones.
Chairman Gianni Paladini said: "The club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period, in particular for saving us from relegation last season. However, the performances and results this season have not met with our expectations. The league table does not lie. The club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season. Mick will be caretaker manager for Wednesday's away game at Colchester and a further announcement about the post will be made after that."
01 October 2007
Queens Park Rangers have sacked John Gregory as manager of the club.
The club has taken action after the side's 5-1 thrashing at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday left them languishing at the bottom of the Championship.
Ex-Aston Villa boss Gregory, 53, took over at QPR in September 2006 and saved the club from relegation last season.
"The club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period as manager," chairman Gianni Paladini told the QPR website.
"In particular, (we would like to thank him) for saving us from relegation last season," added Paladini.
"However, the performances and results this season have not met with our expectations. The league table does not lie. The club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season."
First-team coach Mick Harford will take temporary charge of the Loftus Road side ahead of their game against Colchester on Wednesday.
QPR have not won a game so far this season and were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Leyton Orient.
Martin Allen, who recently left Leicester as manager, could emerge as a candidate for the job.
But Paladini said: "A further announcement about the post will be made after that (the Colchester game)."
