Big Sam must stick with Dara O’Shea despite return of Semi Ajayi
West Brom have kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season thanks to the partnership of Kyle Bartley and Dara O’Shea.
The pair also have Sam Johnstone and Lady Luck to thank for not conceding against Brighton but there are definite signs of improvement.
Sam Allardyce acknowledged that fact post-match, and he should stick with the pairing moving forward.
Both have enjoyed inconsistent spells this season but Kyle Bartley is beginning to act as a leader and his recent contributions were recognised by his inclusion in the WhoScored team of the month.
O’Shea, too, has been brilliant at times but can be prone to a mistake – the defeat against Sheffield United was a good example of that.
However, against Burnley and Brighton he made a combined seven interceptions and seven clearances in the two games, per WhoScored.
He was particularly impressive against Burnely, as the 21-year-old would not have been expecting to come on so early when Semi Ajayi was sent off.
Ajayi too has looked accomplished at times – with Trevor Sinclair recently suggesting he’s ‘getting better all the time’ – but he let the team down in getting sent off.
It is important Big Sam does not disrupt a defence that is performing so well by bringing Ajayi back in.
Familiarity is important in a back four and Okay Yokuslu will also have built an understanding with O’Shea and Bartley.
There is a possibility Allardyce will go with a back five and therefore all three centre-backs will play.
O’Shea will be important in countering the aerial threat of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin on Thursday, as the Ireland international is a colossus.
He has won an average of four aerial duels per game throughout his career (WhoScored), and while Ajayi has managed 3.7 in his, he has just 2.4 per game this term (WhoScored).
A run in the side should boost O’Shea’s confidence too and after the last few weeks we are desperate for that.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips has tipped this player to “take the league by storm” if Albion sign him in the summer.
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