BARTLEY STEPS UP AS BIG SAM MAKES CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
EVER the pragmatist, Sam Allardyce did not bask in the glory of his first West Bromwich win. Big Sam hasn’t built his reputation as a relegation escapologist by edging 3-2 thrillers and he’ll want things to get tighter from here, starting with tomorow’s visit to former club West Ham. It is all very well creating chances, and West Brom had 12 shots in an unexpectedly open Black Country derby, but significantly Allardyce reserved his highest praise for defender Kyle Bartley, who frequently put his body on the line. ‘He’s a nice, big centre half like I was,’ enthused Allardyce. ‘It was nice to see him doing the right things, getting blocks. A defender must always be judged on how they defend, not playing the ball out. ‘We have to start not conceding goals. You can’t score three every week to win. We have to make sure
we don’t give goals away. We have to make sure we don’t do it again.’ He underlined his priorities when discussing his skilful Brazilian Matheus Pereira, who converted two high-pressure penalties at Molineux having missed in the FA Cup shootout defeat at Blackpool. ‘He was excellent, not only his ability but his work-rate,’ assessed Allardyce. ‘I liked him working for the team.’ There is no doubt Albion’s second win of the campaign, and against local rivals, has breathed life into their season even though they remain five points from safety. An energetic debut for 33-year-old signing Robert Snodgrass offset the six players unavailable that included Scotland winger Matt Phillips, who had tested positive for Covid. After Pereira’s opening penalty — both were awarded for fouls on Callum Robinson — defensive frailties allowed Fabio Silva and Willy Boly to steal the half-time lead for Wolves. But back came Albion with Semi Ajayi profiting from a long throw and Pereira netting the winning spot-kick. ‘If there’s one game to change our season, this is the game,’ said midfielder Romaine Sawyers. ‘The upset in the FA Cup woke us up a little bit. The gaffer’s tough on us at times, but it’s not a happy situation we are in, so we need that tough love. ’ Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be clutching at any straw after one win in nine since prolific striker Raul Jimenez fractured his skull at Arsenal. WOLVES (4-3-3): Rui Patricio 6: Semedo 6, Coady 5.5 (Ait-Nouri 64min, 6), Boly 7, Saiss 6; Dendoncker 6.5, Neves 5.5 (Gibbs-White 60, 6), Moutinho 6 (Cutrone 79); Traore 6, Silva 6.5,
Neto 6. Subs not used: Hoever, Vitinha, Shabani, Kilman, Corbeanu. Scorers: Silva 38, Boly 43. Booked: Dendoncker, Silva. Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo 5. WEST BROMWICH (4-2-3-1): Button 6.5; O’Shea 6, Ajayi 6, BARTLEY 8, Gibbs 6; Livermore 6, Sawyers 6; Pereira 7 (Furlong 82), Snodgrass 7, Grosicki 7 (Robson-Kanu 69, 6); Robinson 7. Subs not used: Lonergan, Krovinovic, Ivanovic, Edwards, Peltier, Kipre, Field. Scorers: Pereira 8, 56 (2 pens), Ajayi 52. Booked: Ajayi. Manager: Sam Allardyce 7. Referee: Michael Oliver 6.5.