‘Anything is possible’ – Big Sam refuses to blow out candle on West Brom chances of survival
Sam Allardyce believes West Brom survival hopes rest on two factors – a quick adaptation period from his new recruits, and keeping his squad fit and in rude health.
Albion are 12 points behind Newcastle United but picking up a point against Manchester United on Sunday has offered a glimmer of hope to their flickering chances of staying in the Premier League.
It will take a monumental effort to achieve this ambitious aim but Big Sam has outlined how it can be done.
As reported by Express and Star Allardyce said: “It (survival) is a massive ask for all of us when you look at what we are trying to do and what we are trying to achieve. When you look at our record up to now, it looks highly unlikely but in football you never know.
“It’s about going games undefeated and getting more wins. Every game from now on we must get a point at least but we have to try and win.
“It’s almost getting to the stage where if we lose one, we have to make sure we go and win the next two to catch up. It is doable. Whether we can do it – a lot will depend on not getting any injuries and our new players getting even better.”
Goals are the name of the game
It might take a bit more than that to lift Albion out of the mire.
Sunday’s draw against Manchester United was positive for a number of reasons, not least because it showed this side is more than capable of competing against teams vying at the opposite end of the table.
We have now taken points from all of last season’s top four – Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
If we can upset these teams why can we not do more against the teams in and around us?
That must be the question that Big Sam puts to his players this week in the build-up to two fixtures that will define our season.
After a trip to Turf Moor on Saturday to take on Burnley Albion then host Brighton at The Hawthorns on February 27.
Catching up with these sides is only attainable if we pick up maximum points against both.
To do this we will have to improve upon our finishing in front of goal.
For all the good work produced against Manchester United there were also clear deficiencies.
Mbaye Diagne might have bagged his first West Brom goal but he could and perhaps should have added at least another to his name.
Goals have been at a premium for Albion this season with just 19 in 24 Premier League games so we must add a more clinical edge to stand any chance of staying up.
In other West Brom news, question marks over whether Mbaye Diagne was first-choice target after £13m bid for 25y/o emerges.
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