Sam Allardyce: West Brom to arrange two fixtures during international break
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that West Brom are set to arrange two friendlies over the international break behind-closed-doors.
The Baggies have three weeks without a game after their 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace over the weekend, and Big Sam wants to use this chance to see some of his rarely-used options.
The likes of Romaine Sawyers have been playing with the under-23s recently, and this could be the opportunity they have been waiting for to impress.
Speaking to the Express and Star, Allardyce admitted that he will also be keeping a close eye on their players leaving on international duty.
“The break might do them good. I think a lot will happen over the next three weeks. For the players who haven’t played so much, we will arrange a couple of friendlies behind closed doors,” he said.
“The players that have played and who aren’t on international duty will get some time off with their families. And then the players on international duty will need to keep us informed on what they have done.”
The Baggies have a number of different outcasts at The Hawthorns.
Sawyers will be joined by the likes of Karlan Grant and Branislav Ivanovic are just some of the names that will want a chance to prove themselves again.
Allardyce has his favourite 11 or 12 players in his squad now, and it appears as though it will take a lot to change his mind between now and the end of the season.
Should the Albion find some decent competition over this break, they need to give big chances to the outcasts in their squad, or they will be sat on the bench for the rest of the season.
Some eyes need to be on the Championship next season, with relegation becoming more and more likely every single week – this could be the first step in preparing for that.
In other West Brom news, Hackett claims PGMOL should demote Hooper to Championship