The 00s - the defining points of a decade

A FUTURE Italian international and a current media personality failed to prevent West Bromwich Albion losing 2-0 to Barnsley.
And they were just two of Albion's midfield in their opening game of 2000.
A total of 138 players went onto appear for the club during the Noughties, with 38 different nationalities represented among that lot.
They had three managers and a head-coach, two chairmen, with the Baggies playing 485 games.
Three promotions, two trips to Wembley and one title success. On the flip side, three relegations, two failed play-off attempts and two Great Escapes.
It's not just results which defined the decade.

APPOINTMENT OF GARY MEGSON
The right man, at the right time for a club who needed it. Chairman Paul Thompson's decision to appoint football's Troubleshooter General in 2000 was inspired.

THE SPRING OF 2002
The drama of the season was encapsulated in the final few minutes in the penultimate game at Bradford. Albion, who had missed most of their penalties during the campaign, assigned yet another player to try his luck - step forward Igor Balis. Albion still had it to do against Crystal Palace eight days later but once Balis' spotkick hit the net then there was no going back.

THE SUMMER OF 2002
Oh dear. It all started when Paul Thompson resigned, citing the failure of his relationship with manager Gary Megson. He was replaced by director Jeremy Peace, who swiftly brought in his own people. The fixture list for the following season came out - Manchester United (a), Leeds (h) and Arsenal (a) in the first three games.

STRIKE ACTION
A trip pre-season trip to the English seaside for Albion's Premier League-bound footballers. What could go wrong? Peace and two of his senior directors called a meeting with players. Grim faces emerged. The bonus scheme promised by Paul Thompson (£15,000 for a win, £7,500 for a draw, £5,000 for a defeat) was scrapped as it was deemed unworkable by the new chairman. The players called for a meeting with myself and a colleague. We convened in the hotel car-park where one senior player, flanked by his team-mates, read out a collective statement. Strike action was a possibility. The issue got resolved - but for a few days this was Albion's very own Cuban Missile Crisis.

THE MANAGER WHO NEVER WAS
When Albion travelled to West Ham United in November 2003, they were ready to sack Gary Megson. Mark Hughes was the favoured potential replacement. After about 20 minutes Jermain Defoe missed a sitter. Had he scored he would have put West Ham four up. The Baggies went onto win 4-3. Had they lost, Megson would have gone and the wheels would have been put in motion for an approach to the Welsh FA. That call was never made. Albion won promotion under Megson a few months later.

DUNNE AT CITY
Albion had just lost 4-0 and 5-0 to Blues and Liverpool. Next up Manchester City away. They were one nil down when up popped Richard Dunne to send the Baggies' only 'shot' past his own goalkeeper. Neil Clement moved from left-back to centre-half in the same game. Albion were transformed. Kevin Campbell and Kieran Richardson arrived and were inspirational figures during the second half of 2004/05. Albion stayed up after starting their final game of the season in 20th spot.

'HE BETTER BE FIT, BECAUSE I'M NOT PLAYING'
A comment from one Albion player in December 2006 - who shall remain nameless - after finding out his positional rival was struggling to be fit. Albion's squad was full of 'bad uns', with some going through the motions for the recently-appointed coaching staff. It would need to be dismantled. Tony Mowbray knew it and he was desperate for the summer transfer window. Losing the play-off final to Derby was no bad thing. By staying down, Mowbray bought Albion a vital 12 months when they needed it to reassemble.

WATFORD AWAY
Watford v Albion, top versus second. From kick-off, Watford launch the ball and kick it out for a throw-in level with Albion's penalty box. Football was the winner on the day. Albion won 3-0 and went onto sustain a title-winning challenge, reaching the FA Cup semi-final. Watford wilted.

By the way, that team against Barnsley in 2000?
Adamson, McDermott, Burgess, Gabbidon, Potter, Quinn, Sneekes, Townsend, Maresca, Evans, De Freitas. Subs not used: Morris, Angel, Oliver, A Chambers, J Chambers.

ON MONDAY MORNING - THE NOUGHTIES, AS TOLD VIA PRESS CONFERENCES.