Writing is already on wall for Moore
Wildschut makes Albion manager eat his words
IT IS not often managers make bold statements in their programme notes before a game and West Brom manager Darren Moore may regret doing so.
‘Let’s all do our very best to get the season off to the right start,’ Moore wrote.
His players forgot all of that in the 89th minute, when Yanic Wildschut scored to give Bolton their first away win since December.
Josh Vela sent in a corner, captain David Wheater fli cked on and Wildschut, on loan from Norwich, scrambled past Sam Johnstone at the back post.
It came after a frustrating display from a West Brom side who have been made second favourites to win the Championship.
They showed they are capable of quali t y when Harvey Barnes’ sensational strike cancelled out Josh Magennis’ header for Bolton.
But Moore has been tasked with returning West Brom to the Premier League at the first attempt, and when only three of 20 shots are on target there has to be slight cause for concern. West Brom managed to bounce back from relegation in 2010. But this time you sense it might be a bit more difficult and Moore warned his players to sharpen up fast, particularly when defending setpieces from which both goals were conceded.
He said: ‘ Any set- plays, you’re always disappointed if it goes in. We’ve got to do better than that because it’s part of the game.’
More concerning, he thought, was that his side could not break down a side that shipped 74 goals last term and only stayed up on the last day.
‘Credit to Bolton for executing a game plan, playing a way that will be effective against us,’ he added.
‘It’s really important that we find ways in the future of breaking that down and being more effective.’
There were some positives for Moore, not least the display of Barnes, who i s on l oan f r om Leicester. His l eft- f ooted goal arrowed into the top right corner.
Bolton manager Phil Parkinson said: ‘Everyone knows how hard it is to get away wins in the Championship.
‘Our boys kept going and got their rewards in the end with a terrific finish from Yanic Wildschut.’