Sam survival bid just needs finishing touch
SAM Allardyce had spoken at the beginning of the week about how he would have to make changes to his West Brom side for a jam-packed Hawthorns schedule, which involved three games in the space of eight days.
It therefore came as a surprise that when 11am swung around on Sunday morning, and the team to face Newcastle was revealed, the head coach had decided to stick with the same side who had played against Everton 60 hours earlier.
Indeed, the only change the Albion boss has made to his starting XI in the last four matches was an enforced one – Semi Ajayi’s suspension meant Dara O’Shea came in, and he has done little wrong in the meantime and deservedly retained his place.
For the likes of Ajayi and Robert
Snodgrass, in particular, there is now a need to be patient as they seek to break back into the starting line-up.
Was Allardyce tempted to change things up and keep things fresh after criticising the Premier League’s treatment of the Baggies’ schedule?
“Not really,” he replied. “For 90 minutes, against Everton, from start to finish that is the best performance this team has achieved. That was against a top-six side.
“The disappointment is we didn’t get a point out of it when we could have had three with how well we played. That performance warranted me playing those players again.
“The players’ performance against Newcastle, in my opinion... it proved to be the right decision with how they performed overall but they couldn’t put the ball in the net. I couldn’t really ask for any more than that.”
Indeed, Allardyce waited until the final ten minutes to change things up, when he introduced attacking pair Hal RobsonKanu and the lesserspotted Karlan Grant. “We changed the system late on. We put some fresh legs up top but we couldn’t find a goal, or get that final ball right,” he added.
Albion’s newfound defensive solidarity must continue.
They have conceded just two goals in their last five matches, a refreshing run that spells out lessons are being learned. Their problems, though, lie at the other end of the pitch.
“The performances have become part of our DNA,” Allardyce said, of the platform his team are now appearing to give themselves in each match by the way they set up.
“We are tactically aware. We are performing at a high level, our fitness has improved. The only thing that has been missing over the last five or six games has been the quality of our finishing, sadly.
“If we can put that right and keep the performances as high as we can, we are just going to have to win as many games as possible and see where it takes us.”
WITH just a dozen Premier League matches to go, attention will begin to shift to next season with sporting director Johan Lange at the forefront of Villa’s plan of action.
The Dane’s business last summer was short, sharp and successful with the permanent additions of Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Bertrand Traore and Ollie Watkins all proving their worth within the first few weeks of signing. Morgan Sanson was added in January as well knowing Villa secured a value-for-money – and opportunistic – deal.
“We were looking at him for the summer but, when it came about that we could get him in January, we were really pleased,” said head coach Dean Smith of Sanson’s £14 million capture.
Villa’s impressive £90 million spend this season has completely transformed them into a force to be reckoned with.
But what will happen to the fringe members of Smith’s squad and those with uncertain futures at Villa Park ahead of the 2021/22 campaign?
Irish star Conor Hourihane is up for the Championship player of the month award after his fine start on loan at Swansea.
The midfielder has another 12 months left on his Villa contract but could opt for a permanent move to south Wales. The likelihood will be just that.
Another loan ranger performing wonders away from Bodymoor Heath is Frenchman Frederic Guilbert.
The right-back joined Strasbourg in January and has been an instant hit. Guilbert scored the winner against Monaco last week after a surging run and finish and has earned two Ligue 1 team of the week selections.
Guilbert has previously spoken of his disappointment about being third choice at Villa but, given his form in Ligue 1, he’ll come back in the summer.
Guilbert is expected to provide stiff competition for Matty Cash next term. However, should his form and enjoyment continue in France, a move could be on the cards. It all depends on how Smith views upand-coming right-back Kaine Kesler. Is he ready to step up to the Premier League? Perhaps.
Staying with right-backs and Ahmed Elmohamady has done all right since replacing Cash. The Egyptian marked his 125th appearance for Villa with a good night’s work against Wolves at the weekend, which backed up another assured showing against Raphinha and Leeds.
The 33-year-old’s contract is coming to an end with Villa unlikely to offer him a fresh one.
It’s the same situation with Neil Taylor. The 32-year-old has made just one substitute appearance this season and, again, is expected to move on in the summer.
Villa’s goalkeeping department is an intriguing one. Martinez is among the best in the division with his No.1 shirt at Villa untouchable.
So, what next for Tom Heaton and Jed Steer?
Heaton turns 35 next month and will want one last move to see out the remainder of his playing days. Villa aren’t expected to stand in his way should he want to move in search of first-team football.
As for Steer, the 28-year-old will stay with his contract up in 2023. Elsewhere, Lovre Kalinic has been playing regularly on loan at Hadjuk Split with that move expected to be made permanent at the end of the season.
Moving into midfield and Ross Barkley will head back to Chelsea this summer, as per Villa’s agreement with the London club.
The 27-year-old’s form after his injury has continued to be a concern with Barkley losing his place for the first time ahead of the Leeds game. He has lost his way since returning and will need a standout 12 games to convince Villa he is worthy of a transfer.
It is understood a permanent move has not been discussed and the addition of Sanson suggests there won’t be one forthcoming.
Up front, Keinan Davis came on for the final 12 minutes against Wolves on Saturday to take his league minutes total to 69 from a possible 2,340.
With Wesley’s return on the horizon and Villa’s reliance on Watkins’ workrate, chances are going to be harder to come by once more for
Davis next term. The 23-year-old will most likely secure a season-long loan in the Championship.
Elsewhere, Villa will bank £5.4 million on July 1 when Mbwana Samatta’s move to Fenerbahce is made permanent. He has five goals from his 23 matches in Turkey.
Indiana Vassilev struggled to make an impact at Burton with his loan terminated in January before he joined up with Cheltenham. The American’s future will be assessed this summer with his contract up in 2022.
In terms of Villa’s under-23 players out on loan, Viljami Sinisalo and Tyreik Wright are expected to step up and fight for professional deals next season. It will be the same with Cameron Archer.
Those likely to depart are Clarke, Jake Walker, Ben Michael Tait and Lewis Brunt.
Decisions will also need to be made regarding Dominic Revan and Callum Rowe.
Jack Guy,