View: Worrying stat reveals WBA’s big problem ahead of must-win Newcastle game
West Brom rank among one of the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League this season and it could cost them their place in the top flight.
Ahead of their make or break game with Newcastle this weekend, figures released by popular Twitter account TheOther14, highlight the major flaw in the Baggies squad this season.
Much has been made of the lack of goalscoring threat in the West Brom squad – only Sheffield United and Burnley have scored fewer this season – but the problems appear to be starting much deeper than that.
According to the TheOther14, West Brom have completed the second-lowest number of passes into the penalty area this season at just 61, which equates to just 5.5 per game.
Only Saturday’s opponents Newcastle United, have completed fewer in total (59). However, the major difference for Steve Bruce’s side is their ability to turn those limited chances into goals, with the Magpies scoring four more times than West Brom this season.
West Brom’s cause certainly will not be helped in the immediate future following Matheus Pereira’s red card against Crystal Palace.
Without their main man, there will be even more pressure on the rest of the Baggies squad to improve the club’s creative output.
Some of that pressure may fall on the shoulders of Filip Krovinovic, who could be viewed as the most obvious replacement in Pereira’s absence.
Bringing in joint-top goalscorer Callum Robinson to provide more support alongside Karlan Grant could also be an option for the Croatian, with many feeling that the former has been unlucky not to feature more this season.
As per WhoScored, Bilic has only played two out-and-out strikers together from the start on three occasions this season, winning once and losing twice.
Something has to give for Bilic, or they risk not giving themselves a fighting chance of pulling away from the relegation battle they find themselves in.
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