‘That is just crazy’ – Ian Wright blasts West Brom moment in 2-1 defeat v Newcastle
Ian Wright has blasted West Brom for their defending for Newcastle’s opening goal at St James’ Park on Saturday.
It was a nightmare start for the Baggies, who were behind in the opening minutes after Miguel Almiron fired home in the 2-1 defeat.
Wright has labelled the defending of both Branislav Ivanovic and Matt Phillips as “crazy” after both were guilty of over-committing themselves.
Speaking on Match of the Day on Saturday evening, Wright claimed that both Ivanovic and Phillips were to blame for their side going behind so early.
“It could easily be avoidable,” he said
“What you want is for your experienced defender to say right, let him just have it in that space, but he’s going to come across and he’s going to totally commit himself.
“Almiron with Phillips, you’re thinking Phillips to stay with him, don’t come across because you haven’t got no reason to come across, he’s come across and it’s a very, very easy goal – it could easily be avoided.
“That is just crazy, crazy defending.”
The Baggies just didn’t need to put themselves in this situation in the opening stages of a must-win game and Slaven Bilic will be fuming.
When fighting for points at the bottom of the Premier League, you can’t be handing direct rivals a one-goal head start, and that is essentially what they did.
You could possibly question Phillips for his positioning given that he is out of position, but Ivanovic has been questionable for many weeks now.
The 36-year-old only won 57% of his defensive duels, losing all of his aerial battles, and losing possession of the ball six times according to WyScout.
Kyle Bartley was dropped for the trip after struggling against Palace, and it would be no surprise if there were plenty more changes for the clash with Manchester City.
In other West Brom news, Michah Richards addresses the poor form of Baggies in top-flight
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