BEGGING BAGGIES
Pardew: This is a vital time in the season, we need the fans to be with us
ALAN PARDEW is “begging” West Brom fans to back their struggling side today at their season’s “critical point”.
Tony Pulis’ successor is still searching for his first Premier League win in charge of the Baggies.
Albion are only off the bottom of the top-flight on goal difference and the club have not won for 20 Premier League games dating back to August.
It adds up to a huge challenge for new boss Pardew, who must sell to buy in January.
He is anxious for Albion’s fans to stay behind the side against a stubborn promoted Brighton side.
Pardew, ahead of his ninth League game at the helm, said: “I’m desperate for the players to win.
“I’m doing everything I can to try and get ideas and thoughts into them that they can exercise and give our fans something to cheer about.
“They’ve been incredibly patient, our fans. Just locally here I’ve tried to get them in a good place because we’re begging them really.
“We’ve got no right with the results we’ve had.
“But we’re begging them to come and make a lot of noise and hopefully we’ll deliver what they want.”
Albion got their first win under Pardew last week in the FA Cup at League Two Exeter.
Now Pardew says it is imperative the Baggies pick up three points in the Premier League today to give their survival bid hope.
He admitted: “I think we are at a critical point in the season.
“It is not lost on us as a group and a club. I don’t think if we lost this game that would mean we will get relegated, by any means.
“There are far too many games left for that, but it is a crucial game. And Brighton and Chris Hughton will be understanding that, and making it more difficult for us.
“That’s why I think the fans are going to be important. I don’t expect Brighton to want to open up the game too much.”
Pardew’s squad have trained at The Hawthorns this week to mix up their training and made some other adjustments.
He said: “I’ve changed the schedule, changed the format of how we work, changed the warm-up on match day, changed the timings – to keep players on their toes.
“And that won’t change until the end of the season – it’s just a few things we have done.”