Sam Allardyce questioned the fitness and dedication of Semi Ajayi and his West Bromwich Albion teammates after they were thrashed 5-0 at home by Leeds on Tuesday night.
After Romaine Sawyers’ comical own-goal gave Leeds the lead in the ninth minute, the visitors were 4-0 at half-time thanks to further strikes from Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo, with Raphinha adding a fifth in the 72nd minute.
This was Allardyce’s third game in charge and either side of the unexpected 1-1 draw at Liverpool, there have been heavy home defeats by Aston Villa and Leeds.
And reacting to the defeat Allardyce said:”If I pointed a gun at their head and said I’m going to shoot you they’d run as fast as they need to. On the fitness levels of Leeds and us there was a big difference.
“I asked the players to look after themselves even better than they are doing away from the club but I’m yet to see whether they have dedicated themselves more.
“Tonight (Tuesday) put a lot of doubt in my mind about their dedication. Leeds didn’t only play us off the field, they ran us off the field.
“They have to get stronger in mind and it can make you do many things, run farther and faster.”
West Brom are six points adrift of safety and Allardyce added: “We have to play our best against teams around us and that’s where our wins have to come from.”
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