West Brom: Burnley show they are levels above in clinic of technical quality
West Brom were served a clinic of technical quality in their clash against Burnley on 20 January which showed they are levels below the Lancashire outfit, according to The Atheltic journalist Elias Burke.
It was a tale of two halves at Turf Moor and for all the excitement of the Albion going ahead early on, there was a clear gulf in class in squad depth and options.
Burke confessed that the Burnley easily found their way past Carlos Corberan’s orchestrated press in the second half and proved that Albion doesn’t have all the answers just yet.
“It was a clinic in how technical quality, the likes of which Corberan’s side had yet to face in the Championship, could break down an orchestrated press. Burnley are a level above, and Albion could not find the solutions,” said Burke as quoted by The Athletic. (21 January)
“For Kompany, the early-season draw at The Hawthorns prompted a return to the drawing board, creating the formula behind Burnley’s all-conquering run. Now, as his battle-hardened group do on the field, Corberan needs to lift himself and dust himself off to ensure Albion continue on an upward trajectory after this setback.”
Benchmark set.
The Burnley game was a true test to see what level the Baggies are currently at and they are not completely far off the Championship league leaders.
It was an exciting, high-intensity contest throughout and it was clear that both sides were coming into the fixture off of a rich vein of form.
Nevertheless, it was Burnley who dealt the finishing blows on the Friday night clash, which was their eighth league win in a row.
Being able to bring talents off your bench like Jay Rodriguez always helps and his introduction added physicality and flair up top against a tired Baggies defence.
And it’s this very squad depth that was the ultimate deciding factor in the fixture, something the Albion need to improve on in future transfer windows.
All in all, Burnley set the benchmark for the level West Brom need to get to in the coming months, something which is very achievable after yesterday’s display.
In other West Brom news, Albion are trying to sign this Brighton player on loan.