‘Big Sam’s dream’ – Ian Wright makes shock prediction for West Brom v Man Utd
Arsenal legend Ian Wright predicts West Brom might be able to shock Manchester United at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
Albion welcome Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s free-scoring side to the Black Country this weekend as they battle to win points and improve their chances of avoiding relegation back to the Championship.
As it stands, things are looking bleak for West Brom and manager Sam Allardyce, who has ultimately failed to improve results after replacing Slaven Bilic in charge at The Hawthorns last month.
The Baggies have just 12 points from 23 Premier League matches and sit 11 points away from 17th-placed Burnley, who have a game in hand and a far better goal difference.
Match of the Day pundit Wright believes Man United’s style of play will suit Albion on Sunday as he tips Big Sam to name a defensive line-up.
“The way they (United) are playing now and we know that they like to break, playing against West Brom will be Big Sam’s dream,” Wright told Wrighty’s House podcast, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
“We saw what he did to Liverpool up there and it’s going to be that kind of situation for Man Utd, he’s going to make that tough.
“If it means he’s going to play five [at the back] and four in front and the one guy who’s going to be in front of them then Man Utd have got to try to break that down, which we know is their Achilles heel.
“This is where people like [Edindson] Cavani have to play because the one bit of movement, the one bit of quality from [Bruno] Fernandes and that could be enough to beat West Brom.
“But that game is not a foregone conclusion simply because West Brom will probably relish that kind of defensive challenge than any other at the moment against a Man United side that we know it sometimes just doesn’t happen.”
Wright is wrong
We have absolutely no faith in West Brom’s defence at the moment.
Since Big Sam’s appointment, Albion have conceded 19 goals in five home matches. Nineteen.
Man United have scored 12 goals in their last two league fixtures against Southampton and Everton so we’re on for an absolute hiding this weekend unless Allardyce finds a way to shore up a defence he’s struggled to improve for almost two months.
Whether Allardyce names a back-five or two banks of four, Man United will find a way to exploit the sheer weakness of our players.
We don’t have any full-backs who can deal with half-decent Premier League players and the centre-halves all look as though they have mistakes in them.
Kyle Bartley – of all people – is the only defender who’s been worth his salt lately and that’s saying a lot.
Man United will pick us apart on Sunday and hammer yet another nail in the West Brom relegation coffin.
In other West Brom news, fans want this 45-year-old manager to replace Sam Allardyce if he’s sacked.
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