West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion reportedly received a transfer request from star striker Peter Odemwingie on Friday.

UPDATE: Friday, Jan. 25 at 4:35 p.m. ET by Sam Westmoreland

If you thought the Odemwingie saga was over, think again. Sky Sports is reporting that the 31-year-old striker has released his own statement regarding the team's decision not to grant his transfer request. Per that statement: 

"I'm deeply hurt and in some ways offended by the lack of reciprocal common respect from the management of West Bromwich Albion. During my time at the club I believe I have delivered performances, effort and goals. I never complained when I found out that the club failed to inform me of enquiries that might have interested me and my family in the past.

"Everyone knows how much effort and commitment I always give when I play for the club. The fans have been great with me and I will always respect them.

"Some may say I have contributed, along with all my team mates, to the survival of the club in the Premier League in recent seasons. At this stage of my career, this opportunity may not come around again. A new challenge, a new opportunity, and a chance to play under the stewardship of one of the most respected managers in the game (Harry Redknapp).

"I hope the management of West Bromwich Albion will accept my transfer request in the manner that I have requested it. West Bromwich Albion may argue that I am too vital a member of the team to allow me to leave now but I could argue that team selection so far this season has not reflected that and there is more than adequate cover for my position currently in the squad, culminating in my playing out of position.

"I have not taken this decision lightly and I would like West Bromwich Albion to accept what, in my opinion, is more than a reasonable offer from QPR for me."

In other words, stay tuned; the last six days of the transfer window could get very interesting at the Hawthorns. 

---End Update---

UPDATE: Friday, Jan. 25 at 12:34 p.m. ET by Matt Fitzgerald

Chris Lepkowski of the Birmingham Mail took to Twitter to announce that West Brom rejected Odemwingie's transfer request very quickly:

#wba confirm they have rejected Odemwingie request.

— Chris Lepkowski (@chrislepkowski) January 25, 2013

That report was verified by the club not long thereafter (h/t wba.co.uk):

Sporting & technical director (designate) Richard Garlick said: “Peter is hugely popular with our supporters and it is disappointing that he has decided to hand in a transfer request.

“It was immediately turned down and has done nothing to change our stance during January.

“Peter is under contract until the summer of 2014 and we have no need or desire to sell our core players.

“We want to keep the squad intact to enable us to build on an encouraging first six months of the season.”

---End of Update---

Sky Sports News' official Twitter page broke the distressing news for the Baggies:

Sky sources: West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie has handed in a transfer request More on #SSN

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 25, 2013

Albion has suffered three losses and a draw to lowly Aston Villa in its past four English Premier League fixtures, adding to the misery for Steve Clarke's club. It has been an especially disappointing stretch, after such a strong start to the 2012-13 campaign in which the Baggies won six of their first seven home matches.

According to a recent report by The Guardian, Odemwingie was not meant to be available during the January transfer window, as confirmed by Richard Garlick, the new sporting and technical director.

Garlick also professed a reluctance to bring in an additional player, despite the team's present struggles:

We're happy with the squad we've got and there are no immediate plans to bring anyone in. If an opportunity presents itself, then we will look at that, but we're looking more towards the summer.

In the context of that status-quo mentality, it makes sense that West Brom would want to keep its talented 31-year-old attacker in the fold.

That report also indicates that Queens Park Rangers have their sights set on acquiring Odemwingie, but the West Brom front office has already rejected an offer allegedly worth around two million pounds.

Such a destination—one of the EPL's bottom-dwellers—doesn't make much sense for Odemwingie, who is in the latter part of his playing days and eager to compete for a prominent trophy. This juncture of his career is also his last chance to cash in on a new, sizable contract.

Odemwingie has played for the club since August of 2010 and has had substantial success as a scorer. He has five goals in 19 appearances this season.

Just a month ago, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United led the discussion of clubs that could pull off a surprise this season and finish in the top four.

On Sunday, the two clubs will face off against each other at The Hawthorns with a combined one win in the last three EPL Matchdays. 

West Brom came into the season as an unknown quantity with Steve Clarke taking charge as a manager for the first time in his career. 

Wins over Liverpool and Everton to start the season shocked many people who watch English football.

The Baggies continued their impressive start to the season by taking 14 points out of their first seven matches. 

After losses to Manchester City and Newcastle, many believed that the Baggies would fade back into the middle of the EPL table and not contend for European competition. 

Clarke and company rebounded from those two losses with a four-match winning streak, which included a 2-1 win over Chelsea and a dominant 4-2 victory at Sunderland. 

Just when things were beginning to look positive again, the Baggies made a trip into the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City on November 28. 

Three first-half goals by Swansea flattened any positive momentum that West Brom had going into the match.

Following the 3-1 loss to Swansea, the Baggies have fallen to Stoke and Arsenal.

What is more frightening than the club's current three-match skid is that they have gone 225 minutes without a goal.

The last goal scorer for the Baggies was Romelu Lukaku, who found the back of the net just before the end of the first half against Swansea. 

West Ham United face a similar situation. However, they are dealing with an injury crisis to two key players in their midfield and the man that they have relied on to score goals is also out hurt at the moment.

The Hammers took 11 points out of their first seven matches and were one of the biggest surprises early on in the season.

Since then, the Hammers have won just three matches and have fallen down to eleventh place in the table. 

Injuries have played a big part in the lack of success that Sam Allardyce's club has had.

The first player to be hit by the injury bug was Ricardo Vaz Te, who dislocated his shoulder in the club's 3-1 loss to Arsenal. 

It was revealed just a week after his injury was suffered that Vaz Te would be out for up to three months.

The injury concerns were compacted last week when Mohamed Diame was forced to leave the Hammers' match with Liverpool in the second half because of a hamstring tear.

Diame faces the same fate as Vaz Te and will be out for 12 weeks with a grade three hamstring tear. 

There is no doubt that the Hammers have felt the absence of Vaz Te in the attack and will suffer at the holding midfield position with Diame being out. But every good football club has players that are ready and willing to fill those voids. 

A combination of Yossi Benayoun and Gary O'Neil have tried to fill the void left by Vaz Te, and the responsibility of replacing Diame will most likely belong to James Tomkins. 

Another void that Allardyce is trying to fill is the one left by on-loan forward Andy Carroll, who is out for up to two months with a knee injury that he suffered against Chelsea on December 1.

The Hammers do have an able-bodied replacement at the forward position in Carlton Cole, who scored 17 goals last season in the Championship as the club earned promotion back to the EPL.

Adding insult to all of the injuries at Upton Park, the Hammers have just one win in their last four matches, the other three match results have been losses. 

It is not worth debating which club needs a win on Sunday more, because both clubs are facing difficult situations and a win would begin to cure their problems. 

The loser of this match may face a continuous slide down the table, while the winner will reap  the spoils of a valuable three points before the stretch run of the holiday season begins. 

West Bromwich Albion continued their amazing start to the season with a 4-2 win at Sunderland on Saturday.

The win at the Stadium of Light was the fourth in a row for the club, who jumped up to third place for the moment in the EPL table.

The Baggies struck first in the 30th minute, as Zoltan Gera delivered a brilliant strike that sailed into the right side of the net past Sunderland Simon Mignolet.

The other two goals from the visitors on the day were also talking points after the final whistle blew.

In the 44th minute, Shane Long took advantage of some poor goalkeeping by Mignolet, as the Sunderland keeper could not get a hold of the ball, and Long poked it away from the Belgian and netted his fifth goal of the season.

After the hosts scored their first goal by way of substitute Craig Gardner's free kick in the 73rd minute, the Baggies scored eight minutes later through a controversial penalty.

Liam Ridgewell's run into the left side of the penalty area was halted by Adam Johnson's slide tackle, and referee Mike Dean called a penalty on Johnson for his attempted tackle.

The replay showed that Johnson barely made contact with the West Brom defender, and since Ridgewell went down in the penalty area, Dean had no choice but to make the decision in favor of the visitors.

Romelu Lukaku slotted home the penalty for the Baggies to extend their lead to two goals, only for that lead to be shortened just six minutes later.

The 87th minute produced a second Sunderland goal from Stephane Sessegnon, as he put home a rebound off of a corner kick.

The Black Cats could not find an equalizer at home, and their fate was sealed in the final minute of stoppage time, as Marc-Antoine Fortune extended the visitors' lead to two goals once again.

Both clubs will be back in action during the week with Sunderland hosting QPR on Tuesday at the Stadium of Light, while West Brom will visit Swansea on Wednesday.

Steve Clarke's West Bromwich Albion sit in fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League table and, after handing Chelsea their second straight defeat at the Hawthorns, are just a point behind the Premier League's "big three" after 12 games this season.

Their rise up the league table this season has been built on the solid foundations established by former manager Roy Hodgson, but a major part of their success is thanks to the effective front man they have found in Shane Long.

The 25-year-old arrived from Reading in the summer of 2011 with an incredible amount of potential in his pocket, along with a ferocious desire and work ethic. But after a first season in the midlands plagued by injuries and inconsistent form, Long looked far from being a polished Premier League striker as he racked up eight goals in his 33 appearances.

This season, though, something has clicked in the Irishman, and his burning desire to impress and perform at the top level is being matched by the performances he produces on the pitch week after week

"He's really good, really good," said Long's partner in crime Peter Odemwingie, who benefited from another quality cross from his striker partner to lift his side past Chelsea on Saturday.

"I won't say I've always seen him crossing balls nicely in training, but this season he's been crossing the ball perfectly.

"When he has the ball I know he can do it again, and again the ball came right on my head, I just had to connect."

A goal each for the unlikely dynamic duo was enough to deny Roberto Di Matteo a point on his return to the Hawthorns, as Chelsea fell to the Baggies in the midlands for the second season in a row, and it was the Irishman who picked up the man-of-the-match award at full time thanks to his diving header to open the scoring, before picking out Odemwingie for the game's winning goal five minutes after the interval.

His stellar showing on Saturday was made all the more impressive when it became apparent, through his celebration, that Shane was nursing a heavy heart after the passing away of his grandmother during the week, something the club only found out about on the Friday before the game.

"I didn't know what happened," continued the Baggies' Nigerian forward.

"I was wondering why he was a bit moody and quiet. After the match in the dressing room we were celebrating a bit, there was some music in the dressing room, and he wasn't with us but I didn't want to ask what happened.

"It was a big game for us and an important moment and he was there and was working so hard and played very well so he deserves a lot of credit for that."

With 12 games gone and four goals to his name already, Long appears set to surpass his eight-goal tally of last season and possibly break into double figures for the first time in top-flight football. But the improvements to his overall game, his passing, his ability to muscle defenders almost twice his size off the ball and his tireless work ethic are already proving to be major factors to his side's early season success, regardless of his achievements in front of goal.

With almost a third of the season gone, few would have predicted that the Baggies would be positioned where they are in the table, knocking on the door of Europe's major club competitions. If Long and his fellow teammates can maintain their focus and drive, a place in the Premier League's top eight is not an impossibility. 

Oliver Wilson is a Contributor for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

While Everton have risen into the top four of the Premier League with much media fanfare this season, very little has been made of another side defying expectations by occupying a European berth.

Over in the Black Country, West Bromwich Albion have been discreetly churning out results, and now find themselves in fifth place after eleven league games, tied on points with David Moyes's lauded side.

The Baggies currently have the fourth-best form in the league and have failed to win only one of their six home matches (a 2-1 defeat by reigning champions Manchester City, in which they were unlucky not to earn any points).

The midlands side are enjoying a comfortable league lead over the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool—with a fraction of the resources and none of the ego-ridden 'box office' players.

So, how have The Albion managed to slip under the radar and enjoy such lofty success so far this season?

Much of the credit must go to manager Steve Clarke. This season marks the former Chelsea defender's first full-time managerial post, but he has spent more than a decade of his post-playing career cutting his teeth as an assistant manager.

After a stint at Newcastle, Clarke worked under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, helping the Blues win two league titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup. The Scot also assisted former colleague Gianfranco Zola at Chelsea, and is given much of the credit for the Hammers' ninth-place finish in 2008/09.

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, still speaks highly of the 49-year-old. 

Credit also belongs to those working hard on the pitch. Scottish midfielder James Morrison headed the winner on the road at Wigan last week after returning from hamstring injury and has had 17 shots on target from ten games—the same amount as joint top scorer Shane Long.

On-loan Belgian Romelu Lukaku, meanwhile, is providing plenty of physical threat upfront, At the back, former England keeper Ben Foster has bounced back from minor surgery and is part of a defence that has only conceded four goals at home, a tally only bettered by Stoke and Sunderland.

The European stage would not be an entirely foreign concept for The Throstles: the 1920 Football League champions reached the Cup Winners Cup quarter-finals in 1969, and the last eight of the UEFA Cup in 1978-79.

Staying in contention for fifth place and a Europa League spot for the remainder of the season, however, will be a mammoth task for a team who were re-promoted to the top flight just two seasons ago. The Baggies haven't finished that highly in the football league pyramid since 1981, when Ron Atkinson guided them to fourth place.

However, hopeful West Brom fans can cite the precedent of Ipswich Town's 2000-01 season. Many expected the Tractor Boys to go straight back down after winning the Championship, but George Burley's side stayed in the upper echelons for much of the season, and ended up in fifth place.

Also, unlike a lot of Premiership sides of their stature and calibre, West Brom continue to approach every match aiming to get three points, regardless of their opposition.

James Morrison told reporters this week they went for the win when Manchester City visited The Hawthorns, and they shall do so again when Chelsea come to town this Saturday (BBC WM via Goal.com).

Positive play may continue to reap rewards: a win against Chelsea could put West Brom in fourth position, just one point behind the current Champions League holders. Albion beat The Blues in the corresponding fixture last season, and a repeat of that result is not out of the question.

Regardless of whether Steve Clarke pulls off a famous victory against his former employers this weekend, the game will surely provide a measuring stick of Albion's progress this season, and could be telling indicator of their ability to maintain a strong top-half finish.

As for the Baggies 'boing boing-ing' their way into the San Siro next season? Stranger things have happened...

West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea will square off on November 17 at the Hawthorns in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England. Chelsea will be looking to avenge their March 2012 loss against The Baggies. 

West Bromwich is heading into this game on a two-game win streak and hope to extend it against a Chelsea team coming off of two ties. 

However, so far this season, Chelsea have won seven games and have lost one in match play and sit third in the Premier League table. 

West Bromwich have been holding steady but are fifth in the premier league with six wins and three losses in match play. 

Where: The Hawthorns. West Bromwich, Sandwell, England

When: Saturday, November 17, 2012 10:00 am ET

TV: Fox Soccer Channel

Stream: West Brom vs. Chelsea

Dominant History

In the last five times these two clubs have faced off against one another, Chelsea has dominated West Bromwich, winning four of them. Most notably, on August 14, 2010, Chelsea tallied six goals while shutting out West Bromwich. 

This leads to Chelsea being a heavy favorite heading into his match, but history may not always dictate the future. 

While Chelsea is doing well so far this season, West Bromwich isn't too far behind. Chris Brunt, West Albion's club captain, has helped the team get into the top-tier of the English Premier League. 

The team is already doing better than where they were at this time last season.

West Bromwich finished the 2011-12 season 10th in the Premier League table and was eliminated in the second round by Everton for the League Cup. 

The team still has their ace Peter Odemwingie, who led the league in goals last season and currently has three goals this season. 

West Bromwich has their biggest opportunity to turn the tide and record another win against Chelsea, which will help them in the league table.

Chelsea's Weapons

Attacking midfielder Juan Mata is Chelsea's key to victory and their quest to the top of the Premier League. Mata currently has four goals and six assists on the season, and his solid play earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award in October.

Chelsea has already established themselves as a mainstay at the top of the Premier League, and this match is their opportunity to put down a competitive team and cover more ground in the league table. 

Mata is a creative play-caller on the field who is part of a solid roster that also includes Frank Lampard, who is considered one of the best footballers in the world. 

Lampard has three goals in eight appearances and is a specialist when it comes to converting penalty kicks. Lampard and Mata are a part of a high-octane Chelsea offense that's capable of netting a goal from all angles. 

Prediction

Chelsea and West Bromwich against one another is an interesting matchup that leaves one really wondering who will take a win.

As noted, history tells of Chelsea's dominance over West Bromwich, but in recent times, West Bromwich has become more competitive and tallied a win against Chelsea this past March. 

A tie is also a possibility, but with guys like Lampard and Mata on the field, it will be tough for West Bromwich to keep goals out of the net. 

Chelsea 2 West Bromwich 1

West Brom won their fourth match of the season in the English Premier League on Saturday with a 3-2 win over QPR. The result of the match was decided early on in the match as the Baggies netted two goals in the first 22 minutes.

James Morrison was the first-goal scorer of the day for the home side as he headed home a Shane Long cross in the fifth minute. Morrison headed home the ball into the back of the net past QPR keeper Julio Cesar with ease as he received a perfect cross from Long in the penalty area.

The second goal came in the form of Zoltan Gera in the 22nd minute. Gera's celebration of the goal, in which he decided to do a few backflips, may have been more exciting than the goal itself.

As for how the midfielder scored his second goal of the season, Gera slotted home his shot into the bottom right corner of the net past Cesar with ease.

The visitors looked to be down and out after the second Baggies' goal but they fought back with a 35th minute goal by Adel Taarabt. Throughout most of the match, Taarabt played with plenty of spirit throughout the first half, but he was only able to provide the away side with just one goal.

The second half did not see any goals until the 85th minute as Youssuf Mulumbu scored his first goal of the season for the Baggies. Mulumbu's goal was the finishing touch on a group of passes that were linked together perfectly, Gonzalo Jara was the man who got the assist on the goal as he provided the final pass to link to the midfielder.

QPR tried to make a late comeback to earn a point but it was to no avail. Esteban Granero's shot was chipped over West Brom keeper Ben Foster and into the back of the net to give the visitors a second goal in the 90th minute.

However, two goals were all the R's could manage as their final chance on net in stoppage time from Jose Bosignwa was shot high into the stands at The Hawthorns.

With the win, the Baggies are now in fourth place in the EPL table with 14 points, they will drop to fifth if Manchester United win tomorrow. QPR are still stuck at the bottom of the league table with two points from their seven matches and the pressure on manager Mark Hughes will continue to grow.

After the international break, QPR will host Everton on October 21st while West Brom will host defending champions Manchester City on October 20th.

West Bromwich Albion's incredible start to the 2012-13 English Premier League season hasn't gone unnoticed by many, but the question now becomes as to whether or not the Baggies can sustain their performances for the remainder of the year.

Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League and just a point outside the top three, West Brom have indeed started the season better than a number of high-profile teams, including Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United.

They have been clinical in defense, and have made the most of their attacking forays—finding the back of the net often enough to clinch victories.

So are they the real deal this season?

Well, obviously we can never know until the season is complete, but the early signs look good for Steve Clarke's men, who can thank their excellent work throughout the summer transfer window for much of their success to date (via The Daily Mail).

With nowhere near the same funds available as the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City, the Baggies picked up two players on a free transfer and three players on a loan for the season—getting good, solid players, but without splashing the cash to get them.

Picking up Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on loan is a prime example of why the Baggies won big in the summer transfer window, and how they can use that win to propel them towards more wins throughout the season.

The Blues signed Lukaku for a reported £20 million just over a year ago (per BBC Sport), but did not use the Belgian international due to their already strong striker depth, which at the time, included the likes of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba.

And with the arrival of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar into Chelsea's midfield, they did not need Lukaku again this season and decided to ship him out on loan—allowing the player to win by gaining experience he would not have received at Stamford Bridge, and allowing a lucky club the chance to win by gaining a world-class, young striker, who was worth a price they simply could not afford.

West Brom were that lucky club.

Claudio Yacob was another player that the Baggies picked up over the summer; the midfielder moving on a free transfer from Racing Club de Avellaneda and so far, starring for the club in central defensive midfield so far this season.

He, along with goalkeeper Ben Foster, have proved to the club why they were acquired over the summer transfer window and how they are crucial to the club's chances at moving forward this season.

Moving forward to success.

West Bromwich Albion fans will have to wait some time before their team will win the English Premier League, for it won't be happening this season. It probably won't happen next year either, but with a growing, young squad that is full of fresh talent and enthusiasm, there's a new type of momentum and belief going around the Hawthorns at the moment.

Their defense is good, with just Chelsea, Arsenal and Sunderland conceding less goals through the season so far, and they have the attacking pieces available to hurt teams from attacking raids and set pieces in their attacking half.

If Lukaku comes in to his own this season and attempts to justify his incredulous transfer fee, then the Baggies are in for one wild ride this season, and one that could well see them improve on their solid 10th place in last year's competition.

Which, for a club that started the season at 150/1 just to make the top four, would be an incredible effort in itself. 

Don't go to sleep on West Brom just yet.

Are West Brom better this year than in their recent history?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre