Five things learned from West Brom's mauling of QPR
West Brom had quite the weekend, beating QPR 7-1 at The Hawthorns.
Here are five things learned from the thrashing.
Fab four are going to take some stopping
After scoring 11 goals in two league games, it looks like the Baggies have assembled the deadliest attack in the division.
Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez both scored more than 20 goals in their most recent seasons in the Championship, Matt Phillips looks rejuvenated and has already equalled last season’s tally, and Harvey Barnes looks like being the No.10 Albion have been crying out for for years.
Hunting in a pack high up the pitch, it’s a front-line capable of outscoring anyone.
New system gets the best out of the squad
Not only does Darren Moore’s new 3-4-1-2 formation allow him to get all his best attackers on the pitch in areas they can affect games, it also improves those further back.
The midfield was crying out for a No.10 in the first few games, but there is a balance to the central trio now.
Matt Phillips and Kieran Gibbs (or Conor Townsend) are tailor-made to be wing-backs and playing three at the back gives Ahmed Hegazi more protection and allows Tosin Adarabioyo to play out from the back.
From back to front, it’s a system that works.
Competition breeds success
Things have a tendency of snowballing in football, good and bad.
After seeing so many fringe players impress in the Carabao Cup, Albion’s regulars knew they had to put in a performance on Saturday.
Kieran Gibbs reacted to Conor Townsend’s display, the strikers responded to Oliver Burke’s first goal, and Jake Livermore was superb after James Morrison played well against Luton.
Albion suddenly have strength in depth, because Morrison and Hal Robson-Kanu made a difference off the bench too.
Darren moore is learning quickly
Albion’s head coach has overseen just 11 games in his career so far (and lost just two of those), but his decision to change formation to a new one was brave.
This wasn’t just a stab in the dark though, because when he trialled it against Luton he gave 45 or 60 minutes to Phillips, Barnes, Bartley and Hegazi to help them adjust to their new roles. Young Adarabioyo was given 90 minutes.
After navigating a tricky summer and a slow start, Moore is beginning to prove the doubters wrong. Again.
The joy has returned
At its base level, football is entertainment that is supposed to bring emotional highs as well as lows.
Too much of one is dangerous, and apathy sets in. Albion fans experienced very few highs last season, but now the excitement has returned.
Who knows what the season will bring, and the Baggies will certainly face better opposition than QPR, but it’s been a while since there has been a possibility of blowing teams away at The Hawthorns.
And regardless of what division you’re in, that anticipation is important.