Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion home 1979/80

CITY 1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3

League Division 1

2nd February 1980

attendance 32,904

scorers

City Lee(61)

West Brom Regis(31), Barnes(47 & 85)

Ref Ron Bridges

City Corrigan, Ranson, Donachie, Reid, Caton, Booth, Power, Henry, Daley, Robinson, Lee - sub MacKenzie(unused)

West Brom Godden, Batson, Pendrey, Moses, Wile, Robertson, Robson, Brown, Regis, Owen, Barnes - sub T Brown

FROM THE PRESS BOX

DEREK WALLIS WRITING IN THE DAILY MIRROR 4TH FEBRUARY 1980 The more disenchanted of Manchester City's supporters had a go at Peter Barnes, Malcolm Allison and me. In that order. Barnes, sold by City apparently at everybody's request except his, had his own back by scoring twice for Albion. Allison, who sold Barnes and others, and replaced them with players who frankly are not as good, sipped his obligatory champagne and, when asked whether he thought time might be running out for him, said defiantly to the roars of "Allison out" from beneath his office window. "I won't feel that until the day they bury me. There are a lot of people shouting at me today who once hailed." And me? I had the impression City's perilous position was all my fault when those who had braved the rain to wait for Allison hollered: "Don't write the usual rubbish on Monday Wallis, Get them out." Allison and chairman Peter Swales were their real target, but I didn't need them, the more militants, to convince me of the feelings of the mass of supporters who have remained loyal. As one who doubted the wisdom of Allison's judgement from the outset. I am surprised only that they have been so tolerant for so long. "What the heck (well it was a four letter word) is going on?" chanted the crowd as City lost two goals to Cyrille Regis and Barnes in a manner which suggested that they didn't know, either.

A brief spell of defiance, in which Stuart Lee reduced the lead, was followed by another of indecision in which Barnes scored for Albion again. And I was left with the impression that the time is approaching rapidly when City must examine the situation and make some decisions. No useful purpose would be served at this stage by dispensing with Allison, who had the backing of the directors in tearing the team apart. There will be time enough at the end of the season to analyze his actions. But I do wish he would decide what is the best line-up and stick by it come hell or high water because their is nothing more damaging to players' confidence than a different team sheet every week. Whatever happens as a result of this defeat, there is no doubt that February will be crucial for City who now have to play three away games out of four this month with confidence in shreds