{"id":588619,"date":"2021-04-07T16:13:48","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T20:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=588619"},"modified":"2021-04-07T16:15:03","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T20:15:03","slug":"sam-allardyce-west-bromwich-albion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/04\/07\/sam-allardyce-west-bromwich-albion\/","title":{"rendered":"Sam Allardyce West Bromwich Albion Reign Not Helped by Resources Available"},"content":{"rendered":"

Polarising as ever, the Sam Allardyce West Bromwich Albion<\/a> side have been mixed, to say the least. They’ve won just three of his 17 games since taking charge at the Hawthorns, drawing five and losing nine. Not great.<\/p>\n

These defeats include a catastrophic loss against bottom club Sheffield United<\/a>. They were outfought and outthought by a team whose fate was already more or less sealed.<\/p>\n

As of now, they sit eight points away from safety with eight games to go. Allardyce is known for his great escapes, but this is probably his toughest task to date at West Bromwich Albion.<\/p>\n

So far, the evidence of his reign indicates that West Brom\u2019s days in the topflight are numbered. However, before his arrival, they had won just a solitary game. Has Big Sam\u2019s time in Black Country been a low-key success or an unmitigated failure? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n

West Bromwich Albion Sam Allardyce Appointment Could Prove to Be a Success Yet<\/h2>\n

Issues Within West Brom’s Squad<\/h3>\n

Before pointing the finger at the manager, the playing staff must be evaluated first. Allardyce can only utilise what is available to him.<\/p>\n

West Brom have some talented players in their ranks, but the squad has holes. For starters, the team lacks a discernible goal scorer.<\/p>\n

Mbaye Diagne is a useful target man. As a team\u2019s primary goal outlet? Forget about it, his finishing isn\u2019t remotely up to par. He\u2019d be ideal in a two-striker formation alongside a pacey fox in the box, but he doesn\u2019t have this luxury at West Brom.<\/p>\n

Likewise, Callum Robinson is energetic and great for putting pressure on players when out of possession. However, his finishing can be genuinely abysmal at times. Five goals from 23 appearances is a poor output (each of them against Chelsea<\/a>, of all clubs).<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t to say West Brom\u2019s squad is devoid of quality. Behind the back four sits a brilliant keeper \u2013 Sam Johnstone. One of the Baggies\u2019 most important players, he\u2019s kept them in an incalculable number of games this year. His communication can be lacking at times and he has mistakes in him, but he excels in every other criteria. It\u2019s good to see him in Gareth Southgate\u2019s<\/a> mind for the Euros, he completely deserves to be.<\/p>\n

Conor Gallagher, on loan from Chelsea, is an energetic midfielder who loves an effort on goal. Such a high work rate is invaluable in the modern game, especially for teams like West Brom who need to fight tooth and nail for all the points they can get. He\u2019s quick and is a decent passer to boot. We\u2019ll definitely see more of this young man as time goes by.<\/p>\n

Matheus Pereira has proven to be quite a steal for the Baggies. Voted as their player of the season last year, he\u2019ll no doubt scoop that award again this campaign. He\u2019s creative, has goals in his game and is excellent on the ball. Everything you could want in an attacking midfielder, plus, he\u2019s their top scorer.<\/p>\n

Sam Allardyce West Bromwich Albion Tactics<\/h3>\n

Allardyce\u2019s once cutting-edge managerial philosophies have grown somewhat stale. If his refusal to accept modern concepts, that is what will take West Brom down this season, the blame must be squarely aimed at him.<\/p>\n

Allardyce was once credited with bringing modern concepts to the English game, mainly fitness theories from the USA. Now, however, he is drawing close to being given the dreaded label of ‘dinosaur’.<\/p>\n

West Bromwich Albion under Sam Allardyce seem averse to playing from the back, preferring the archaic method of lumping it forward. This is a dangerous game to play in modern football, where teams are most vulnerable upon a turnover of possession.<\/p>\n

Defensively, West Brom aren\u2019t particularly strong either. They\u2019ve shipped four or more goals on five different occasions this campaign, though they do seem to be getting sturdier every game. One of Allardyce\u2019s key strengths as a coach is defensive organisation, so this is no surprise.<\/p>\n

He has generally been at his best utilising robust, physical sides with a creative attacking midfielder for balance. Jay-Jay Okocha at Bolton Wanderers<\/a> is the standout example of this dichotomy.<\/p>\n

His approach has allowed for certain players to thrive \u2013 for example, the aforementioned Diagne. He\u2019s not the most gifted player in the squad by any stretch, but Allardyce\u2019s affinity for direct passing allows him to be a real handful for opposition backlines.<\/p>\n

Some may scoff at Allardyce\u2019s methods, but they still have a place in today\u2019s football (in moderation).<\/p>\n

Evaluating Allardyce at West Brom<\/h3>\n

Ultimately, Allardyce\u2019s tenure at the Hawthorns will be considered a success if he accomplishes one specific thing \u2013 keeping them up. This is what he was brought in to do, therefore he must do it, or face ignominy (and probably the sack).<\/p>\n

West Brom have shown signs of improvement recently under Big Sam. However, it is likely too little too late. Their demolition job on Chelsea<\/a> was certainly impressive, but the chasm between them and safety is very daunting.<\/p>\n

West Brom will no doubt give their all in these remaining few games \u2013 Allardyce will not let them rest at this stage. While fighting for their Premier League<\/a> lives, they\u2019ll make for tough opposition against anyone in the league.<\/p>\n

One of Allardyce\u2019s key strengths as a coach is his man-management. He knows how to elicit reactions from his players and we will certainly see that in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

West Brom have some tough fixtures up ahead, including a match against Liverpool<\/a> and an away game at Arsenal.<\/a><\/p>\n

The common belief is that Sam Allardyce will not keep West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League<\/a> \u2013 if this occurs, he will have failed. If he succeeds, he\u2019ll go down as perhaps the greatest escape artist in the history of English football.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>