West Brom manager Sam Allardyce gave a grim view of Semi Ajayi and his teammates’ ability to defend at Premier League level, and stated that January reinforcements are urgently required.
The Baggies slumped to a heavy 4-0 defeat against a resurgent Arsenal side as their struggles to stave off relegation continued.
The Gunners played some superb attacking football at times, but West Brom’s defending offered little in the way of resistance to the London side’s forwards.
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Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Allardyce said: “Another game gone by where we learn more about the players we have. We have learnt an awful lot about what we can and cannot do.
“Some of the players who have not performed yet will get to play against Blackpool in the FA Cup.
“We need to work out a way of not trying to be as sloppy as we have been at conceding goals. It appears when we try to open up we leave opportunities for the opposition and we cannot cope.
“We got ourselves back in the game in the second half, scored a disallowed goal but put pressure on them then gave away one of the most bizarre goals for the third which killed out momentum.
“It was too much to try and climb 3-0 here.
“Three games in a short period of time has been the problem, the recovery time has been so difficult for the players and to get some real coaching in is almost impossible. That has taken its toll on the players.
“Most of the teams we will play against will be better than we are, we have to stick together, more determined and defend better. It is as simple as that.
“If we have to wait like we did against Liverpool, then it will have to be the way.”
Regarding his plans in the January transfer window, Allardyce said: “We have to get a better player than we already have and see if that is available.
“The squad needs a boost and if I have ever saved a club from this position, and I have, it is because we have had the capabilities of bringing a player in in January.”
