Salomon Rondon urged to work a miracle for West Brom
Alan Pardew is hoping Salomon Rondon will hit a purple patch in order to secure another great escape for Albion.
The Baggies suffered a 4-1 loss at home to Leicester last weekend, leaving them eight points from Premier League safety.
Many supporters are resigned to relegation – understandably so – but one thing they have had to smile about is that target man Rondon netted against the Foxes. It was the Venezuelan’s eighth goal of the season.
Pardew wants him to build on that tally at Bournemouth tomorrow, and said: “Strikers can get a goal from nowhere and suddenly that can turn very quickly.
“He’s a great striker to work with.
“I’ve had strikers before who have had runs.
“I remember Bobby Zamora went for long periods without scoring and then would have a little burst or a spell. I hope, fingers crossed, Salomon gets a burst like that.
“His work-rate and the way he is around the group, I think he’s a tremendous person.”
Pardew has spoke about finding the right balance on the training ground – when to be serious, when to be light-hearted.
It is some him and his staff speak about ‘every morning’.
“The balance is important on the training ground,” said Pardew.
“Every morning me and my staff talk about getting that balance right.
“At a training ground, it can’t be serious all the time.
“You’d drive yourself mad if you were to worry about the complications a relegation can bring to individuals and the football club.
“That responsibility, that burden we have to lift some times, but we have to lift it in the right way.
“We also have a responsibility for the fans and everybody to show we’re doing our work properly.”
He added: “There’s times when you can do sessions to add a bit of fun. When you come to the serious parts of the work make sure it’s much more focused.”
There will likely be some changes from the Leicester defeat.
Grzegorz Krychowiak reacted furiously to being substituted just before the hour mark, refusing to shake Pardew’s hand.
Supporters sitting nearby claimed the Polish midfielder told the Albion chief to ‘f*** off’ as he stormed off, with Pardew then expressing his disappointment with the player’s lack of loyalty.
It is doubtful whether he will be involved at the Vitality Stadium following the bust-up.
Young midfielder Sam Field may take his place in the starting line-up. Raw winger Oliver Burke is expected to retain his place, but Matt Phillips may lose his on the opposite flank. James McClean is waiting in the wings.
Jonny Evans missed out last weekend due to a virus. If he is over that, he should start at the heart of the defence alongside Ahmed Hegazi, with Craig Dawson moving to right-back – and Allan Nyom dropping to the bench.
