Pardew boys lacking and sent packing
Manager cannot inspire troops in must-win game at Hawthorns
THE space left in Alan Pardew’s suitcases may need filling after a disastrous defeat at home to Huddersfield plunged West Brom closer to relegation.
Pardew admitted he had one-and-a-half bags packed ahead of this contest and the result, coupled with a desperately poor performance, will only intensify the scrutiny on his position.
Towards the end those home fans left at the Hawthorns told Pardew he would be sacked in the morning and it remains to be seen how owner Guochuan Lai responds, having already enacted a brutal boardroom cull.
Pardew has now won only one of 14 Premier League matches in charge and the deeper concern is that there were scant signs that a revival is possible.
Add in the embarrassing taxi episode and the meter is running on Pardew’s tenure after just three months. Asked if he hoped to see the job through, Pardew said: ‘Well, I hope so but obviously that decision is not with me.
‘This team has won three games in 37 games, which says everything. My job is to try and get ourselves up for next week.
‘We’ve got to stand up. I’m going to stand up and manage the team and they’ve got to stand up and give us performances.’
It is true West Brom’s problems run deeper than Pardew — the seeds sewn during a barren run at the end of last season and suspect summer recruitment that eventually saw the end of Tony Pulis.
But Pardew’s personal record, including the culmination of his Crystal Palace spell, is seven victories from 50 Premier League matches. There is a disconnect among fans still angry at the events from Barcelona, with jeers greeting Pardew’s substitution of Gareth Barry for Jake Livermore, and ultimately it paints a bleak picture for a club that looks destined for the Championship.
West Brom remain seven points from safety but teams above keep picking up results and they are now 10 points behind Huddersfield, for whom this was a huge win.
David Wagner’s side moved to the 30 mark and know three more wins should seal safety. Wagner said: ‘We have shown everything you have to in these games: commitment, fighting spirit, togetherness. I am delighted and proud of the players. They have shown their momentum. It is a great win.’
The significance of this fixture appeared to spread anxiety through West Brom’s players from the off.
They started in a hurry but it was nervous energy and led to a ragged performance badly short on quality and lacking cohesion.
Huddersfield were not much better in the first half and Rajiv van La Parra could count himself lucky to avoid a caution for simulation when falling dramatically despite not being touched by James McClean.
Van La Parra called on the physios and left the pitch holding an ice pack to his knee before sprinting down the wing once back on.
Wagner criticised his player for similar actions at Old Trafford this month but another word is needed.
It took until the 36th minute for a meaningful chance to come when Florent Hadergjonaj pulled back to Alex Pritchard, whose goal-bound shot was inadvertently blocked by Steve Mounie. Ben Foster saved Van La Parra’s follow-up and then Jonny Evans desperately cleared at the moment Pritchard stooped to head at goal from three yards.
West Brom responded when Ahmed Hegazi strode forward from defence and fed Matt Phillips, who beat Christopher Schindler to the ball and stood up a cross to the far post. The Hawthorns held its breath as McClean ran on perfectly, but he sent his volley badly over.
The malaise spread to West Brom’s defence as Huddersfield scored twice inside 11 minutes of the restart to turn the atmosphere in the stadium toxic.
Huddersfield’s first in the 48th minute was an utterly dreadful goal for Pardew’s team to concede. Evans afforded Collin Quaner all the time he desired on the right of the box and he eventually picked a cross along the floor that found Van La Parra in an astonishing amount of space.
Craig Dawson, usually so dependable, had failed to get close and it summed everything up that Van La Parra still scored despite scuffing his shot.
Eight minutes later Huddersfield doubled their lead. West Brom conceded possession in midfield and Wagner’s side were incisive. Pritchard delivered a delightful reverse pass to send Mounie clear — played onside by Evans — and his finish was cool over Foster.
That prompted furious scenes in the stands, with fans in the Smethwick End streaming out and those who stayed telling the players they were not fit to wear the shirt.
Chris Brunt replaced McClean immediately and in the 64th minute the Northern Irishman showed why he should have started, delivering another dangerous corner that Dawson rose to head in.
It was a cause for hope but it failed to transpire into anything meaningful. Brunt tested Jonas Lossl with a free-kick but it was Foster who remained the busier.
The final whistle brought vociferous boos, a torrent of missiles made from cardboard clappers, and potentially the end of Pardew’s tenure.