Six of the best

I have in front of me Albion's latest DVD - Classic Matches.

Featuring 10 classic games from the last 40 years it includes big wins, comebacks, mud baths, blood baths and much more.

All of this got me thinking about the classic games since I started covering the club back in 2001.

I've deliberately avoided the Battle of Bramall Lane and the 4-3 at West Ham as they're featured on the DVD.

But the following will all surely strike a chord in one form or another. Not all are goal fests, not all were entertaining or full of incident. Nor is it a definitive list. You'll probably disagree with some. But each one was significant for one reason or another.

SUNDERLAND 1 ALBION 2 (FA Cup third round, 2002)
Perhaps the first sign that Albion were cut out for life along the big guns. It gave them belief. It was arguably Jason Roberts' finest game in an Albion shirt.

BRADFORD 0 ALBION 1 (2001/02)
That penalty from Igor, which can be viewed here. No more explanation needed.

SUNDERLAND 0 ALBION 1 (2003/04)
Battered for 89 minutes, Gregan and co kept Mick McCarthy's men at bay with a masterclass of defending. Lloyd Dyer broke and, instead of running down time by the corner flag, played in Koumas to ensure Albion's promotion was all-but rubber-stamped.

ALBION 2 PORTSMOUTH 0 (2004/05)
The day Bryan Robson's dry cleaners earned their money. Horsfield scores, Richardson makes sure. Results go Albion's way, the Baggies stay up, the parties start, Robson gets soaked.

WOLVES 0 ALBION 3 (FA Cup fourth round, 2007)
Diomansy Kamara, Kevin Phillips, Zoltan Gera. It could have been more. Never before has Tesco enjoyed such wanton advertising of its product as Albion fans 'dress' their seats in the Southbank with blue and white-striped shopping bags.

WATFORD 0 ALBION 3 (2007/08)
Watford go 12 points clear of second-placed Albion if they win. They lose. Albion's passing, attacking football gets the better of a pragmatic, direct Hornets side, who never recover following this mauling. This victory set the tone for Albion's title win. Watford miss out in the play-offs.