Moore: Baggies took their eye off the ball
CARETAKER manager Darren Moore has blamed West Bromwich Albion’s slide this season on a lack of focus at the club.
Sunday’s memorable 1-0 win at Manchester United lifted spirits, but will not save them from the drop.
It’s too little too late for the Baggies, who fell so far under Alan Pardew they are still nine points from Premier League safety with only four games to play.
And Moore believes West Brom have taken their eye off the ball for too long. “I think people got the focus off what the job was,” he said. “This season, they’ve allowed themselves to drift and not focus on the job.
“I’m just trying to bring that all back in. Try and bring everybody together, but we can’t do it without each other.
“That’s why I use the words ‘strength’ and ‘unity’ because we can’t do it without one another. We’ve had that and long may it continue.”
Moore, who made more than 100 appearances for Albion as a player, said “faith” was key to the shock victory at Old Trafford. The players certainly followed his orders religiously as the Baggies executed their game-plan to perfection to record a first away win in eight months.
“The players have got faith in each other, the staff have got faith in each other,” he said. “We believe in the club.
“Things have probably gone a little bit by the wayside this year, but it’s really important we continue to fight and work hard for each other and show that fighting spirit.”
Moore has collected four points from two games. That’s already half the tally Pardew, his predecessor, mustered in 18 league fixtures.
From the outset, Moore spoke of a harmonious approach and bringing together all connected to the club. His positivity appears to have rubbed off, with Ben Foster, Jay Rodriguez and James McClean all singing his praises.
“All it is, is togetherness,” Moore said. “I used the word ‘family’ when I came into the role. We’re all a family at West Bromwich Albion.
“That goes right through the departments, right through the supporters into the communities. We’re all just one big family.”
Moore, who said the United result would “send ripples through the football club”, has got Rodriguez right at it. The striker has scored in both his games in charge, while his all-round contribution has been immense. He could yet reach 15 goals for the season with a late flourish.
“Jay’s a fantastic player for us and a goalscorer,” Moore said. “It’s great to see him scoring because, as a striker, that’s what he loves best.
“The hard work he’s been putting in, he’s getting his just rewards with goals. I’m really pleased for him. He’s somebody willing to learn, wants to develop, wants to get better.
“When you’ve got players like that it can only be a good thing for me as a staff member, the player himself and the club.”