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Premier League: Now West Brom's blunt rapier meets the Stoke cannons

West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City won promotion last season but that is where the similarities end. While Tony Mowbray hopes to produce a side capable of emulating Arsenal, Stoke have been upsetting rather than copying the country's leading clubs with their uncompromising style. Neither approach guarantees survival in the Premier League but before tomorrow's meeting at the Britannia Stadium a pattern has emerged where Albion are winning plenty of friends while Stoke pick up more points.The fixture is not quite football's equivalent of Beauty and the Beast but the contrast between the two sides could hardly be starker. While Albion favour a patient passing game that encourages players to retain possession until an opening is created, Stoke have collected an impressive four wins from six matches at home due in no small part to their full-blooded and high-tempo approach to the game, which has bruised a few egos, as well as one or two Arsenal ankles, according to Arsène Wenger. Mowbray is too respectful of Tony Pulis's success to criticise Stoke's methods but not everyone at The Hawthorns has been so diplomatic. "Stoke train with cannons rescued from local medieval ruins," said an anonymous match report in an Albion programme last season. "Footballs are loaded into them and fired into the distance for [Mamady] Sidibe to head and [Ricardo] Fuller to run after. It's a game plan that squeezes the life out of what used to be known as football."Not surprisingly the comments irk Pulis, who strongly rejects accusations that Stoke are a one-dimensional long-ball side. "Tony wants to go one way, that's fine. But I think we play good football at this club," said the Stoke manager. "I don't think we just boot it from back to front. I think we're better than that. I think you're pigeon-holing us into something we're not. If you're saying we're going to play like Manchester United, then we're going to have to buy the players that Manchester United have got."What did Wimbledon do for 12 or so years? What you've got to do is play to your strengths and the players you can afford and the players you can work with and we've got a certain style of football," continued Pulis, who then drew a comparison that might surprise some. "I think we play football. We play it in a way where we play through teams. I don't think we play across, backwards and square; we actually play through teams. And if you go and watch Aston Villa, I think they do exactly the same."Mowbray stated recently that those teams adopting a direct approach "might have one great season" but could not expect to enjoy long-term success. "You can never have consistency playing long-ball and knock downs," said the Albion manager. "You are hoping it drops for you, whereas if you are playing a precision game and playing off the back foot and creating angles and making clever runs, the opposition have got to work hard to stop that because it's not by accident that it happens."He was careful to claim yesterday, however, that he was not applying his theory to Stoke, with the Albion manager suggesting that Rory Delap's ability to throw the ball such huge distances made Pulis's side a different proposition from others that have failed with the long-ball approach. "Watford didn't have enough of the ball and kept giving it back to good teams and got hurt," explained Mowbray. "Stoke, possibly with this extra weapon they've got [in Delap], are finding it easier because a throw-in in the attacking half of the pitch puts teams under pressure." Albion have found it much more difficult to trouble opposition defences, with the 10 goals they have scored this season the lowest tally in the division, highlighting their shortcomings in the final third. Stoke have hardly been prolific in comparison and are only three points above Albion, who lie at the bottom of the table, yet their victories over Arsenal and Aston Villa highlight the problems their modus operandi can present and also suggest that they could be the more likely of the two to avoid relegation."Both managers have stuck to their principles and stuck to their styles of play," added the Albion manager. "Time will tell which team survives, prospers and goes on. But I understand you have got to win football matches. If you don't win football matches, you leave yourself open to what is right or wrong. The bigger picture with me is that I don't really care. I know what I do and that won't change. I'm trying to play good football, create good habits and improve players."Different approachesThe uncompromisingBolton Wanderers, 2001-02Despite signing the classy Youri Djorkaeff, below, Bolton mine a rich vein by skying the ball towards Michael Ricketts.Watford, 2006-07 Losing Ashley Young to Aston Villa mid-season didn't help, but 29 goals in 38 games suggests a team intent on destroying, not creating.The entertainersReading, 2006-07 Steve Sidwell, Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, Nicky Shorey, James Harper... Steve Coppell had plenty of reasons to encourage a passing game.Ipswich Town, 2000-01 George Burley's Tractor Boys pass their way into Europe as he wins manager of the season and Titus Bramble is considered a future England star. Halcyon days indeed.Premier LeagueWest BromStoke Cityguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Football: Walcott injury leaves Capello under fresh fire

Theo Walcott has become the latest casualty of a friendly international already denounced as meaningless by some Premier League managers after the Arsenal winger dislocated his right shoulder in training last night. The youngster will play no part against Germany tonight and, if the injury requires surgery, will face up to 10 weeks out of the game.The teenager fell awkwardly under challenge from Scott Parker on a sodden pitch and, although he was initially able to continue with the practice session, the shoulder popped out of its joint shortly afterwards. He was helped to the touchline and eventually carried from the arena on a stretcher with England's medical staff holding the damaged arm above his head. The shoulder was put back into place at a local hospital and a decision will be made this morning as to when the winger can travel home.Also today a specialist will assess the shoulder to decide whether an operation is required. Even if it is not, Walcott can expect to be out for a minimum of three weeks. Arsenal's medical staff were advised of the injury soon after the incident, with the Football Association painfully aware of the furore whipped up this week over the issue of club versus country commitments. "Our priority is Theo and making him as comfortable as possible before he returns to England," said the head coach, Fabio Capello. "We're all very disappointed but the most important thing is for Theo to travel home and make a quick recovery."Walcott missed the Champions League tie against Fenerbahce after injuring his left shoulder against Stoke earlier this month. He underwent corrective surgery in the summer of 2007 aimed at fixing a hereditary condition that weakened the ligaments in his arm, though now the injury has afflicted his right side. England will most likely call upon Aston Villa's Ashley Young tonight, though the implications of Walcott's potentially lengthy absence are more serious for Arsenal.The 19-year-old has featured in every Premier League game for Arsenal this season and the injury will infuriate Arsène Wenger. The Frenchman had already made clear his frustration at the timing of this international friendly window - his dissatisfaction echoed by other leading top-flight managers - and confirmation that one of the division's brightest stars has been injured ahead of the friendly will do little to repair the already strained relationship between Capello and the clubs.Just an hour before Walcott suffered the dislocation, the national coach had been attempting to reassert his authority over disgruntled Premier League managers by insisting any player who features for his club on the weekend before an international fixture will not be permitted to withdraw from his squad through injury until checked by his own medical staff.That policy saw Steven Gerrard, one of possibly eight first-choice players absent this evening, travel to Watford to be evaluated by England's medical staff on Sunday, having already been ruled out by Liverpool with a groin injury sustained at Bolton on Saturday. Rafael Benítez had been unimpressed at his captain having to make a 400-mile round trip when he might have been recuperating but Capello will insist on his players doing the same in future."This will be the rule for next time," said the Italian. "Always the England doctor will check the physical condition of the players. We respect the doctors of the [club] teams but the rules will be to check the condition of the players. I spoke privately with Rafael Benítez. When a player plays on a Saturday or Sunday and we have a game, we will check whether or not it is possible for them to recover for our match. This is my way of doing things, a way to avoid arguments or misunderstandings. It is our new protocol."EnglandGermanyTheo Walcottguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor says he will not be going to Watford

Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor denies speculation linking him with vacant Watford job.

A Hat-Trick of Happiness

A three goal blitz in the last twelve minutes of the first-half saw Chelsea comfortably regain top spot and create a NEW Club record and Premiership record of ten successive away league wins. What is it with the weather North of Watford when we play? Another away day and another game as the rain teemed it down and down.

Mackay named as Watford caretaker

Watford reserve team coach Malky Mackay is named caretaker boss after the departure of Aidy Boothroyd on Monday.

Thoughts from the Chron 301008

The Saints travelled down to Watford on Sunday for the EDF game against Saracens with a mostly second string side but with the 1st XV cavalry on the bench should things start to get away from us. On paper the Sarries side looked fairly similar, a blend of their up and comers among a scattering of more experienced players like the new England captain Steve Borthwick.

Brown pleased to be getting game time

Hull Defender Wayne Brown is happy to be getting Game time at Preston. Brown Joined Preston on a one month loan deal on Monday and played in Preston's 2-0 win over Watford on Tuesday night. He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It took no consideration whatsoever. "The Hull manager [Phil Brown] has made it clear that I don't feature in his plans at the moment."

Crunch time

Watford residents tell how the credit crisis has hit them

News: Thoughts from the Chron 1st October

Four games into our return season in the Guinness Premiership and a 50/50 record so far with two home wins and two defeats away from the Gardens. However but for the second half blip up at Newcastle you have to say it is a fair showing so far. Saturday's game down at Watford might have ended in defeat but there was certainly was no disgrace.

West Ham stung by Hornets in cup

An own goal by Hayden Mullins consigns West Ham to a 1-0 Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Watford.