View: 21 touches, 9 passes – Attacking ace let down by Big Sam as West Brom fall to Spurs defeat
Karlan Grant ranks among the most expensive transfers in West Brom history but his latest role in the side is another sad indictment of the Sam Allardyce reign.
The 23-year-old was signed in October by previous boss Slaven Bilic for a reported £15million fee after his goalscoring exploits for Huddersfield Town.
Grant netted 19 times in 43 Championship appearances for The Terriers last season while his first half-season in the Premier League saw him score four in 13 before their relegation in 2018/19.
He was signed to score the goals that would inspire West Brom to Premier League safety but it has turned out to be a miserable campaign for player and club so far.
One goal in 16 is a shocking return given the outlay spent on him, though the tactics and lack of creativity around him must be apportioned a large share of the blame as well.
This was evidenced in Albion’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon as he was played out of his natural position again.
Despite his success as a striker he is now being trialled on the wing by Sam Allardyce.
This may work in a free-flowing side but in reality, he is being shunted into a role he is not suited to and his confidence is being further dented by Big Sam.
Against Spurs, he had the fewest touches of any outfielder to start the game (21) and made the least amount of passes (nine) at a 55% success rate (joint-lowest alongside Mbaye Diagne), according to WhoScored.
He didn’t record a single shot or complete a dribble as he really struggled to assert any influence on the game.
One of his biggest assets is his pace so maybe there is some method to the madness in playing him on the flanks with Diagne as a focal point up top.
With Robert Snodrgass on the other side there is a real lack of speed in this Albion side so his inclusion is not a surprise despite his travails in front of goal this season.
However he is clearly not suited to this position and his link-up play is not of sufficient quality to see him start ahead of Matheus Pereira.
With only Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City scoring more goals in 2021 than Pereira it seemed a strange move by Big Sam to leave him out v Spurs and this was exemplified in the anonymity of Grant.
This is a trial that must be halted if Albion are to pick up any more positive results in what looks like a failing mission to inspire an unlikely survival bid.
In other West Brom news, Rio Ferdinand criticises defender for ball-watching in Spurs defeat.
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