'Pool Robbed By Officials

When we were promoted to the Championship, I expected there to be an improvement in the quality of officiating. How wrong I was.

Whoever the referee and linesman on the East were last night were woeful, absolutely woeful... say what you like about our defence, but the chances are had it not have been for these two idiots that we'd have won and kept a clean sheet last night.

With the transfer window having fallen after the Coventry game on Saturday, changes were expected and indeed made. Ben Burgess and DJ Campbell came into the side for the suspended Brett Ormerod and Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who dropped to the bench.

Danny Coid got a surprise start at right back after Alex Baptiste reported to the ground feeling unwell. New signings Stephen Dobbie and Stephen Husband had to make do with places on the bench.

The first chance of the night fell to Rob Edwards, but the centre half's tame shot drifted wide.

Ten minutes later though the Seasiders were ahead after the impressive Danny Coid went marauding down the right and cut the ball inside for Keith Southern to produce a very well taken finish.

Four minutes later though the Baggies equalised through Roman Bednar despite the striker being at least three years offside. Ian Evatt's reaction said it all.

Jerome Thomas had the ball in the 'Pool net again shortly after, but this time the linesman on the East did flag for offside... I can only presume that Ollie poked him with a big stick!

Five minutes before the break, Bednar scored again. He was only a yard offside this time.

Danny Coid went off at half time feeling his hamstring. He's only just returned to training after injury and was clearly not match fit, but it says a lot for the talent of Coidy that he produced a very good display in the first half. Let's hope that he's fully fit soon.

Andy Butler replaced Coid, with Rob Edwards shifting across to right back.

Butler performed very well, despite hitting his own post early doors with a clearing header!

The Seasiders then took off Ben Burgess and Barry Bannan and brought on Taylor-Fletcher and Dobbie as they looked to get back into the game.

Andwele Slory slid a shot just wide for the Baggies, whilst at the other end Dobbie went close twice as did DJ Campbell, who also rattled the bar.

With ten minutes left though, the 'Pool got the equaliser they deserved when debutant Dobbie curled home a lovely and smart finish from the edge of the area to cap a fine debut.

Three minutes later though, the Baggies got a winner after Andy Butler's challenge on substitute Ishmael Miller. The on loan defender got the ball, but the ref gave the penalty anyway... can't have West Brom dropping points to the likes of Blackpool, can we? Graeme Dorrans stepped up to do the business from the spot.

Andy Butler had a header cleared off the line, whilst Campbell saw a header go agonizingly wide as the Seasiders searched in vain for an equaliser.

That's the second time in a row that West Brom have robbed us at Bloomers now, but focus now shifts to Saturday's six pointer against Leicester.

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