Nick Ware

Mon 11 January 2021 7:59, UK

Chris Sutton has cast doubt over Sam Allardyce’s future and says he could leave West Brom if he does not land his transfer targets, as detailed in the Daily Mail.

Allardyce has endured a tough start to his tenure as Baggies boss and is winless in his first five games, with Saturday’s penalty shoot-out exit to League One Blackpool a new low in a tumultuous season already.

A number of fringe players were handed the chance to impress alongside some first-team regulars but no one particularly impressed as they struggled to show there were two leagues between the sides.

Former Aston Villa and Birmingham City striker-turned pundit Sutton outlined in his Daily Mail column why Allardyce could be on the verge of an exit already, saying, “I look at West Brom now and find myself wondering whether Allardyce will even see out the season.

“If he does not get his way in the January window, and results continue as they are, then he may elect to jump ship.

“It could come down to pride. He has never been relegated as a manager, and one way to keep that record intact is to leave before it comes to that, especially if things do not go his way in the market. That will be a situation to keep an eye on.”

Snodgrass should just be the start

Albion recently secured the services of Robert Snodgrass from Premier League rivals West Ham and Allardyce will be hopeful that his arrival is the first of many in the January window.

Snodgrass will add a creative spark and bout of enthusiasm to the team but Allardyce will be under no illusions that his signing will not transform the fortunes of the ailing Baggies, especially considering his 33 years of age and lack of game time this season.

They still require more quality at the bottom and top end of the pitch in particular.

Branislav Ivanovic’s lack of pace was exposed again at Blackpool and it has not been a happy start to life at the Hawthorns for him since he signed in September, so Allardyce will be looking to add some solidity and presence to a leaky backline.

Meanwhile, Callum Robinson is currently West Brom’s only recognisable forward option with Karlan Grant and Hal Robson-Kanu both on the treatment table, while Charlie Austin was allowed to leave the club on loan.

Therefore a striker signing is a priority for Big Sam this January with the Baggies also struggling for a source of goals, with Robinson and Conor Gallagher their top scorers in the Premier League with a measly two goals.

If Allardyce does not strengthen in these two positions at the very least, and perhaps a central midfielder as well, then maybe Sutton’s words will ring true.