Sunderland legend tears West Brom to shreds on BBC radio after what he saw at The Hawthorns
Marco Gabbiadini admits he was “surprised” by how poor promotion-chasing West Brom were in their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies’ 10-match unbeaten run in the Championship was ended by a Pierre Ekwah first-strike in Saturday’s (13 April) game, shortly after Brandon Thomas-Asante was dismissed.
West Brom remain fifth with three games to go, but seventh-placed Hull City can close the gap to five points if they win their game in hand.
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport [15 April], ex-Sunderland player Gabbiadini said: “I was surprised how poor West Brom are.
“I kept having to check the table because you just looked at them and thought what on earth are you about here.
“Even before the sending off, they didn’t really take the game to us. They didn’t cut us open. They didn’t really show any intent. Players were slow to the ball.”
West Brom still not assured of play-off finish
Had results gone West Brom’s way over the weekend, they would have effectively been assured of a spot in the play-offs.
As it is, though, they are now hoping Southampton can prevent Hull City from picking up the win that would move them right on the Baggies’ tails.
For all the doom and gloom over recent results – just one win in five to put a negative spin on it – Albion are fifth in the league for a reason.
Indeed, Carlos Corberan’s men have been in that position for five months now, so they are fully deserving of a place in the play-offs.
Blips happen in any season, and the aim now is to simply regain some momentum across the final three regular-season matches.
Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End each pose different types of tests, but there is no reason why Albion cannot win each of those.
All that matters is that a top-six finish is sealed – ideally fifth place – and then the fun and games can truly begin.
In other West Brom news, Don Goodman expects the Baggies will already be in talks over their first summer signing.
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