Graeme Jones: West Brom are changing their culture this season
Albion assistant Graeme Jones says the Baggies are changing their footballing culture this season in order to chase down 100 points.
Jones, who joined Moore’s coaching staff after helping guide Belgium to third at the World Cup, says the requirements have changed following relegation.
Survival has been the main aim at The Hawthorns in recent years, and that led to a defensive approach at times, but Jones says the Baggies must play more attacking football in the second tier.
Albion have scored 11 goals in the past two league games, and Jones promised supporters there was more to come, but he’s urged fans to be patient with the new approach.
“Culturally, I know what’s gone on here for the last four or five years,” said Jones. “In order to move forward we can’t play that way any more.
“We’re West Bromwich Albion, one of the best, if not the biggest side in the Championship.
“We need a different style and different shape in order to win football matches, because you only get promoted winning football matches.
“Draws are sometimes good results in the Premier League, in the Championship they’re not.
“That’s the reason for it, and hopefully we’ll get more results like Saturday (when Albion beat QPR 7-1) in the future.”
Tony Pulis’s safety-first approach during his almost three-year reign at the club divided opinion among supporters.
But Pulis’s Middlesbrough side are unbeaten in the Championship so far this season, and welcome the Baggies to the Riverside on Friday night for an intriguing fixture.
“Tony was a long serving manager here,” said Jones. “You have to respect his method of work and style of play because it was really successful here.
“I’ve got total respect for his teams because there’s as tough as anyone’s to play against.
“What’s had to change here is that we need 100 points. We have to play more attacking football and score more goals.
“It’s a different requirement staying in the Premier League and getting promoted from the Championship. It’s a natural thing that has to change.”
And Jones has urged the Baggies fans to get behind the new-look Albion side.
“I ask them to be patient, because it’s a new culture that’s arriving at the club,” he said. “Support us because there will be reasons behind everything we do.”
