Darren Fletcher criticises West Brom fans in defeat v Newcastle
Darren Fletcher has criticised West Brom fans for the poor atmosphere at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night as they lost 3-2 to Newcastle United.
Slaven Bilic made nine changes to his starting line-up ahead of the match while Newcastle were at full-strength for their trip to the Black Country in the FA Cup fifth round.
Newcastle also took 5,000 fans with them to the Midlands as they took over the Smethwick End in response to a rare run in the cup.
Ex-Baggies captain Fletcher was not exactly impressed by the fans who used to back him at The Hawthorns but was full of praise for the travelling Toon Army.
"The whole atmosphere's felt flat. The West Brom fans are flat," said Fletcher on BBC iPlayer at half-time on Tuesday night [08:58pm].
"That seems transcendent to the players like they almost feel like the league is more important. That's the sense I'm getting.
"Whereas Newcastle have got 5,000 Geordies there and they're right up for the cup."
Whenever West Brom have to give up the entire Smethwick End to away fans, the atmosphere suffers.
Although there are a lot more fans in the Birmingham Road End, the Smethwick is the beating heart of the home support at The Hawthorns and without it, the ground is always a lot quieter.
It's something the club should try to look into because in the FA Cup, they have to give a larger allocation to visiting teams if they can fill it.
Is there a way that part of the East Stand can be opened up to away fans, as well as the usual half of the Smethwick?
Maybe, one day, if the stadium is expanded there'll be a better idea but at the moment, it seems that giving up the entire Smethwick in cup games is necessary.