Albion fan Terry Wills makes a plea to Tony Pulis.
As I expected, Manchester City had too much quality for a struggling Albion. Superior in most department,s their 4-0 win underlined the clear difference in class and but for the Baggies enjoying a much improved twenty-odd minute second half spell when they did cause the high-priced outfit problems, the result could have been worse.
But – there were some encouraging signs, notably the return of Chris Brunt and the substitute appearances of Jonathan Leko and James Morrison.
I’ve repeatedly called for Leko to be given a starting chance. He’s the type of player that excites a crowd with his ability to beat opponents via speed and trickery. Agreed he can overrun the ball in the process, losing the opportunity to deliver a telling cross but for sure he does leave supporters looking on in anticipation.
Please Tony give him the chance, as I know from chatting to a good number of fans that they feel the same way.
Moving on to Tony Pulis and although I do not enjoy his defensive strategy I realise he feels it’s needed to ensure Greed League survival but surely the admission from assistant Head Coach Dave Kemp that they deployed the wrong tactics for this game was laughable bearing in mind identical tactics are used in every game whoever the opposition.
Top sides or strugglers, the tactics never vary. Defend in depth, hope to snatch a goal on the break and possibly nick a result. Manchester City, Liverpool, Spurs, Sunderland or any struggling team. It ain’t working Tony, so why not admit that sometimes the fans can just be proved right?
A month ago I said that I felt from the next four games two points would be the maximum reward. The last one is coming up, when armchair viewers could be treated to a feast of open, attractive passing football. But unless the Baggies can replicate the best of the second half display against Manchester City I reluctantly think it will be another disappointed short ride home from Leicester’s King Power Stadium. As always hope is lingers below the surface but could it possibly push its way through rock hard ground to gain what would be a valuable result?
If not , then unless other struggling teams fail to take advantage we could find ourselves in the bottom three. It’s still early days with plenty of time to look at the results of teams below us instead of sides above but it’s still an uncomfortable situation.Come on you Baggies – please.
