Guardiola assesses Allardyce’s West Brom impact ahead of PL clash
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed West Brom manager Sam Allardyce as a genius ahead of Tuesday’s clash between the two sides.
City travel to The Hawthorns in arguably their best form of the season as they look to hunt down their Manchester rivals at the top of the table.
Speaking on Monday, Guardiola is quoted by the Manchester Evening News as labelling Big Sam a genius while praising the work he has done at Albion.
He said, “He had good results, bad results, like everyone. It is not easy to take over a team during the season but against Wolves, Liverpool, other clubs he got good results.
“West Brom drew against us here, drew against Chelsea. Sam Allardyce is a genius to take these teams when everyone believes it is over and get results.
“It happens once, twice, three times you can’t say it is lucky because he has done it so many times.”
It looks as though Big Sam has started to turn the tide at The Hawthorns following much improved performances against Wolves and West Ham.
While the result didn’t come at the London Stadium there were plenty of things to be positive about, chiefly Matheus Pereira continuing his newfound good form.
There are few tougher tests in world football at the moment than taking points off this Manchester City side but under Slaven Bilic we have already achieved it this season.
In theory, the game at The Hawthorns should be easier than the away clash as we have a home advantage to fall back on.
However, in these strange times, a home advantage doesn’t really exist anymore.
There is no shame in losing to City and we have already taken more from them this season than most clubs will manage.
Another improved performance and a minimal hit to our goal difference would be a positive result tomorrow.
Though if Allardyce really is a genius, maybe we could sneak another win.
In other West Brom news, there’s been a major Christian Benteke development after he was linked with a move to The Hawthorns.
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