Game on

This evening's crunch derby game is on.


West Bromwich Albion have confirmed that match goes ahead unless there is a major change for the worse in conditions. So further earthquakes or unexpected blizzards not withstanding it looks like all systems go.

Mark Miles, Albion’s head of snow shovelling, said: “The ground staff and extra help we’ve hired in have done a terrific job in clearing the snow and we’re now making all of our usual pre-match preparations.

“Unless there is a sudden deterioration in the weather, which is not forecast, the game will go ahead as planned.”

Last night's Leicester v Middlesbrough kick off was delayed after it took Boro's team coach two hours to travel the two miles from the team's hotel.

Baggies battle to save local derby

West Brom officials are battling the elements in hope of saving the eagerly anticipated derby clash with Aston Villa.

Friday's white-out has had an impact both inside and outside the stadium though the pitch is in perfect nick.

“We were fully aware that the adverse weather would be arriving during the past day or so and we did everything we could to prepare for it,” said Mark Miles, Albion’s head of facility operations and development.

“We hired gritters to service both inside and outside the stadium yesterday and they will remain on site for the rest of today and tomorrow.

“The under-soil heating has been on for several days, which is keeping the pitch temperature at ten degrees celcius.

“We are making concerted efforts to remove the heavy snowfall from in and around the stadium and this operation will continue tomorrow morning.”

Lambert on WBA clash

listen to ‘Lambert on WBA clash’ on Audioboo

Blizzard Conditions Place Baggies Clash in Jeopardy

With some forecasters predicting 14 hours of non stop heavy snow on Friday, and more snow predicted to fall over the weekend, it appears that Saturday's early evening clash between Villa and Albion at The Hawthorns could be in jeopardy.

While there is thought to be very little danger of the pitch not being playable, the sheer amount of snow predicted is expected to play havoc with local travel, with trains particularly subject to disruption, while the health and safety monsters will be poised to scupper the fixture if the roads and pavements around the stadium are deemed dangerous.

The Hawthorns is the highest above sea level football stadium in the country and the snow is expected to be at it's heaviest and most disruptive on high ground.

Ironically, the fact that the game is due to be televised may help it go on as the 5.30 pm kick off time gives the authorities longer to deal with any weather related issues.

If the game does go ahead it's sure to be dry inside the ground, as there will no alcohol on sale in the Villa end.

West Brom v Villa: A foot in both camps.

Coming soon...