‘He looks like he is unhappy’ – Lepkowski troubled by body language from key West Brom star
The mood of West Brom attacker Matheus Pereira is a concern, according to former Birmingham Mail journalist Chris Lepkowski.
The Athletic’s Steve Madeley recently reported that there was a contract impasse between Pereira and the club and that players were unimpressed with his attitude, and Lepkowski has added his voice to the list of fans that are perturbed by his body language and weak performances.
Pereira only recently returned to the side after picking up a three-match suspension against Crystal Palace on December 6, and was sat on the bench against Liverpool and Leeds before being restored to the starting XI.
Speaking on the Liquidator Podcast (11/01/21) co-host Lepkowski said: “I’m slightly troubled.
“Pereira’s performances don’t particularly inspire me, he looks like he’s unhappy, he’s not got the smile on his face that he used to in the Championship.”
He added: “It is a concern…you expect to see a lot more from him.”
Pereira woes continue
Pereira made his second successive start under Allardyce when he lined up against Blackpool in an unfamiliar role spearheading the West Brom attack.
However, he struggled to assert himself on proceedings, though he did score a late penalty to help send the game into extra-time.
This was quickly forgotten as it was his missed penalty that cost the Baggies in the shoot-out to dump them out of the FA Cup to their League One opponents.
He only made one dribble and was dispossessed twice in the game (WhoScored).
The onus will now be on Pereira to prove he deserves a place in this West Brom side with the recent arrival of Robert Snodgrass placing an extra bout of pressure on the Brazilian.
If his body language and reports of unrest are anything to go by then Pereira cannot expect to be given many more chances by Allardyce as he looks to lift his lowly players out of the relegation spots and to an unlikely Premier League survival.
In other West Brom news, Allardyce eyeing multiple January signings according to a report.
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