View: Diagne to start in four changes: West Brom suggested XI v Fulham
West Brom host Fulham in an absolutely huge match on Saturday and Sam Allardyce will be looking for a big reaction after the shocking 5-0 defeat to Man City in mid-week.
Since taking over, Big Sam has suffered defeat in each of his four home games, conceding 17 goals in the process.
The visit of Fulham is the perfect chance to turn the corner – defeat on Saturday does not even bear thinking about.
It would leave Albion five points off safety with just two wins from 21 games, and could even see us drop to the foot of the table if Sheffield United win this weekend.
We think big changes are needed, as we simply cannot continue to play underperforming players like Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore.
That pair have contributed to the worst defensive record in the league, and it is time they were dropped.
Sam Field should start instead, as the 22-year-old is believed to be in contention to play against Fulham following his comeback from injury, so he could make his first league start of the season.
Conor Gallagher should play alongside him as he has scored more goals than Sawyers despite playing less games, and has a return of 0.6 key passes per game to Sawyers’ 0.3 (WhoScored).
The 20-year-old also makes 3.1 tackles per match, the best of any Albion player, so he and Field should be able to support the back four.
Big Sam will likely be frustrated by the lack of defensive recruitments this month, as we are crying out for new personnel.
The City match highlighted that need, and Dara O’Shea’s 5.5 WhoScored rating means he should be replaced by Kyle Bartley, who at least helped to stem the flow of goals on Tuesday.
One positive is that Diagne might sign on loan in time for Saturday’s match [Sky Sports], which would mean Callum Robinson dropping out.
The Republic of Ireland international could instead start on the wing, and we think he ought to after Karlan Grant’s horror show in mid-week.
With those changes in mind, here is how we think the Baggies should line-up at The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, Report: West Brom battling PL club for £57k/wk English attacker, signed for £1.5m in 2019.