Five talking points from West Brom's victory over Leeds
Albion returned to winning ways in stunning style on Saturday, beating Leeds United 4-1 at The Hawthorns. Here are five talking points from the games.
NEW FAB FOUR IN TOWN
Attackers win you games, but defences win you titles. Arguably more important than the four goals scored up one end, was the reassuringly resolute back-line in front of Sam Johnstone.
Ahmed Hegazi and Craig Dawson looked far more comfortable as centre-halves in a back four asked to defend, rather than create. Kieran Gibbs is too good for this division and Tosin Adarabioyo grows as each games goes by.
Forget Barnes, Gayle, Phillips and Rodriguez, Albion’s new fab four is that backline.
PHILLIPS HELPS TURNS THE SCREW IN NEW ROLE
Albion’s central midfield has lacked dynamism this season, but few would have predicted that pace could come from Matt Phillips. However, he was inspired on the right side of a midfield three, adding penetrating runs from deep to Jake Livermore’s industry and James Morrison’s scheming.
His versatility is staggering, and playing him there allows the 4-3-3 to switch to a 4-4-2 when Harvey Barnes drops back. If Hal Robson-Kanu retreats, Phillips drifts inside to make it a 4-5-1. Considering it’s the first time he’s played there, he executed it perfectly.
RENAISSANCE ART
Alongside Matt Phillips was James Morrison, who rolled back the years with a nostalgic all-action performance in central midfield. Morrison will always be tidy in possession, and has a great knack of making more time for himself on the ball, but there was a renewed energy to his performance on Saturday.
Whether he was snapping into the tackle or pressing high, this was the Morrison of old, and he deserves huge credit for working his way back to form after so long out. Hopefully, this is just the start of his renaissance.
LESSONS LEARNED
Darren Moore made the tactical changes necessary to win this game, switching to a 4-3-3 with a far more direct approach. Albion only had 28 per cent possession, but they were in control for large parts.
Marcelo Bielsa, one of the world’s most celebrated coaches, admitted afterwards that “The head coach of West Brom found a game which suited the features of his team.”
It was a huge step forward on Moore’s managerial journey which – let’s not forget – is only starting out. The young boss got his tactics spot on and he deserves praise for that.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS?
Dawson and Hegazi looked more comfortable going direct, but this was not a full-scale return to the functional years under Tony Pulis.
There were times when Albion passed through midfield, particularly once confidence was up, and it seems that period of playing passing football has helped.
The ideal is, of course, a balance. Considering the players they have, Albion could and should be capable of both keeping the ball and going direct. If they can master both approaches, they will be tricky opponents for anyone.
