Alan Pardew comments on Sam Field from West Bromwich Albion’s draw.
Speaking to The Express and Star, Alan Pardew has praised West Bromwich Albion’s Sam Field following the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, but admitted he was worried about playing him before kick off.
The 19-year-old has really shone since Tony Pulis left the club and posted another assured midfield display in Pardew’s first game yesterday.
Field, used by caretaker boss Gary Megson in the draws with Tottenham and Newcastle over the past week, is continuing to enhance his undoubted potential but the 56-year-old new manager admits he had reservations about giving him a third successive spot in the first XI.
Pardew moved the teenager – who scored against the Magpies in midweek – from central midfield to left wing at half time, and the former Newcastle boss admits he expected him to struggle by virtue of his increased workload this week.
“I was a bit worried about him today because a third game in a week for a young player like that I was expecting him to struggle,” he told The Express and Star.
“He was one of the reasons in that little spell in the first half that we started to lose our way but second half he did the job I gave him terrific.”
It was something of a damp squib for Pardew’s first game but surely West Brom will gradually improve under his stewardship.
He might not be a manager for the long term, given he rarely lasts more than 18 months, but he does usually enjoy a very strong first six months or so, so the Baggies’ support can expect bigger and better things to come.
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