It is time to reflect on West Bromwich Albion’s 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light so let us take a look a what we learnt from the game.
Albion are improving
Yesterday, West Bromwich Albion showed they have the makings of a good counter-attacking side. Ben Foster’s quicker than usual distribution demonstrated Albion’s intent to get the ball forward and punish a nervy Sunderland side. Matt Phillips and James McClean provided lots of energy out wide and Albion looked dangerous with every attack.
West Brom always looked comfortable and should have taken all three points against a really poor David Moyes team. At least those Albion fans who made the trip were rewarded with the most aesthetically pleasing away performance for some time.
More options needed at CM
Claudio Yacob and Darren Fletcher have been a solid pairing in midfield for the Baggies. However, Tony Pulis’s side is crying out for a more dynamic central midfielder. Yacob can always be trusted to break up play and Fletcher does a tidy job alongside him but yesterday was a reminder that Albion need reinforcements.
Yacob and Fletcher usually focus on ball retention with most of their passes going either sideways or backwards. In January, Albion need to bring in a holding midfielder who is comfortable enough on the ball to initiate counter attacks with incisive forward passes and runs.
Leko or Gardner?
Pulis’s decision to bring on Craig Gardner for James McClean was predictable. He is seen as the reliable choice to help see out games and always puts in a shift for the team. Gardner is the cautious option and an understandable one but, this weekend, a frail Sunderland team were there for the taking. The pace and skill of Jonathan Leko would have bamboozled Sunderland’s struggling right-back Javier Manquillo.
Gardner should not be used as a scapegoat as he often does a thankless job for the team but yesterday was one of those occasions when Pulis could have been a little braver with his substitutions. The Welshman only seems to reactively bring on attacking players and against that Sunderland team he would have been better off going for the kill.
Chadli the difference maker
Nacer Chadli could be the difference between a season of struggle and a season of comfort. The Belgian international has been brilliant in his role just behind Rondon and provides a vital touch of quality in the final third. Chadli showed his incredible composure when he put Albion in the lead and he was unlucky not to add more to his tally.
Albion must find ways of keeping him in the game and making sure he gets the necessary supply alongside Rondon. If Albion can keep the Rondon/Chadli partnership together, their blend of power, movement and clinical finishing can cause any Premier League defence problems.
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