Joseph Masi slams West Brom attackers in Blackburn stalemate
Joseph Masi was very critical of the Baggies attacking play as West Brom drew 0-0 with Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns last night (February 14).
A point in Steve Bruce’s second game in charge was enough to see the Baggies move up to eighth in the Championship.
Masi questioned Albion’s attacking threat in yet another frustrating night in front of goal.
“Albion just really, really, really struggled to create tonight” Masi told Express & Star.
“All Albion’s problems stem from that final third, and the truth is they are not creating enough for Andy Carroll.
“When you’ve got Andy Carroll, you’ve got to get balls into the box, you’ve got to get crosses into the box he will win basically anything in the air.
He added: “They A: aren’t getting enough crosses into the box and B: aren’t getting enough bodies around Andy Carroll to get those second balls.”
Needs fixing
There is definitely a difference in energy and style under Bruce but maybe not the size of what was expected.
The Baggies were in dire need of being rejuvenated under old boss Valerien Ismael and the former Hull City manager statistically fit the bill.
Some people were underwhelmed with Bruce due to his pragmatic approach and his start at the club may have confirmed their suspicions.
In all honesty though, it’s hard to name a manager who would come in and turn around the state that West Brom currently find themselves in so bringing in an experienced veteran of a manager in Bruce was the right call.
If he can’t do it, no one can with the 61-year-old having more Premier League promotions than any other manager.
Unfortunately, it’s the squad that is the issue. It is unclear whether they are completely inept going forward or whether they find themselves under the tactical stranglehold that Ismael put them under but the new boss has to find an answer to the problem quickly.
In other Baggies news, Steve Bruce keen to transform West Brom player Grady Diangana.