Sam Allardyce: This is why ‘Quality’ Matheus Pereira was dropped v Spurs
Sam Allardyce has explained the decision to drop West Brom playmaker Matheus Pereira in the 2-0 defeat against Spurs on Sunday.
The Brazilian was named on the bench despite being among the Premier League’s top scorers since the New Year this season.
Allardyce admitted that he wanted to try a new signing to keep the home side quiet in possession, something that worked until a couple of mistakes.
Speaking to the Express and Star after the game, Big Sam admitted that Pereira was “quality” but that his defensive work needs to improve.
“We have tried every system but 4-3-3,” he said.
“We couldn’t do that with Matheus because we play him just off the front man which would have been a 4-4-1-1.
“Matheus is a quality player in possession, a player that can provide and open up. But that’s no good if we keep conceding goals.”
There were certainly spells where the Baggies easily contained the home side, but that did lead to little invention when moving forward.
Pereira instantly caused problems for Spurs, and you could see his class as soon as he got on the ball and ran at their defence – setting up a disallowed goal for Mbaye Diagne.
It doesn’t any easier with Manchester United next up, and it will be interesting to see if Allardyce sticks with this defensive mindset.
Should he do that, Pereira could miss out yet again and that could lead to some backlash from the Baggies fanbase at The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, Adrian Goldberg questions Big Sam decision in Spurs defeat
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