West Brom blog: Albion players must step up
While condemnation of West Brom boss Alan Pardew is fully justified, the players shouldn’t be allowed to hide away in the shadows, writes Baggies blogger Nathan Carr.
The pressure is mounting on the 56-year-old after just three wins in 16 – two of those coming in the FA Cup – and understandably so.
But he can’t be the sole target of criticism for the perilous position we find ourselves in at the foot of the Premier League table.
Sometimes it’s too easy just to point the finger at the manager.
Let me be clear, Pardew absolutely shouldn’t be exempt from criticism; however, the players must shoulder some responsibility as well.
They are the ones out on the pitch, wearing the shirt, in the thick of the action.
In recent games there have been too many half-hearted sprints and unconvincing challenges.
The fans can forgive a lack of technical ability or a misplaced pass, but 100 per cent effort is a minimum requirement.
I don’t particularly like singling out specific players, but some members of this Albion team need to seriously step up.
Matt Phillips seems to have lost interest, as does Grzegorz Krychowiak, while we all know what happened with the infamous ‘Cab Four’ in Spain.
He has his deficiencies, but I thought James McClean was the stand-out player against Southampton last weekend purely because of his persistence and willingness to fight for the team.
One player playing in this way is no good. All 11 need to be.
It’s time for the players to stand up and be counted.
They don’t have to necessarily play for Pardew if they don’t want to but playing for the club badge and the supporters should serve as more than enough motivation.
