Darren Moore should go back to basics for the remaining games
There had been no doubt before last Friday that Albion’s home form was a serious issue. The team looked uncomfortable in possession and were getting caught out far too often trying to play it out from the back.
However, the same system was working wonders away from home with eight wins from the last nine making for impressive reading.
Now, after playing two of the best sides in the division and being brutally exposed, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Darren Moore’s team had their weaknesses exposed in a narrow home defeat to Sheffield United but the failures of Friday night’s 4-0 loss away to Leeds United is unforgivable.
In the same way that Moore switched things up after losing to Hull City and then hammered Leeds at home in November, he must now change it again as the 4-3-3 system has gone stale.
Home form has been a problem, but now that the away run of form has come to an end, a crisis may await if Moore doesn’t react to the situation now.
The loss of Matt Phillips in the midfield has no doubt contributed to the drop in form, but things need to change regardless. Both the formation and personnel need alterations.
The trio of Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore and Rekeem Harper have appeared in back-to-back defeats and the outcome has been the same. None of these provide legs in midfield and were completely overrun by Sheffield United and Leeds.
It’s also painful to see the team’s best goalscorer played out of position in Dwight Gayle, who goes missing on the wing when he should be poaching in the box.
What Moore should be doing is going back to what got him the job in the first place – a 4-4-2 formation.
For five of his six games last season, Moore put out the same consecutive starting line-up. It was a simple but effective setup, with many players still part of this squad.
Now the head coach should think about implementing that pragmatic approach for the remainder of the season.
The goalkeeper and back four should stay the same given that Mason Holgate, Craig Dawson, Ahmed Hegazi and Kieran Gibbs are a solid back four and are not at fault for the recent problems.
Gareth Barry might be due a rest after looking off the pace in the last couple of games but undoubtedly gets into the best team. Understudy Sam Field is capable of doing a similar job to the veteran midfielder.
James Morrison and Stefan Johansen must be knocking on the door to break into a midfield crying out for more mobility and adventure. Many fans forget how good the former is when fully fit, and the latter needs more games after showing his potential in the victory away to Stoke City a few weeks ago.
Matt Phillips, arguably being the club’s best player, is a no-brainer on the right side of midfield and Jacob Murphy deserves to start given that he clocked up two goals in just three starts before picking up a knock.
In terms of depth, Jefferson Montero will always be a decent option coming off the bench. One would even wonder how Chris Brunt would fare if he got a chance in his natural position.
Jay Rodriguez helped provide the link between midfield and attack playing behind Salomon Rondon last season, and as Albion’s top scorer, he must play.
Creative midfielder Wes Hoolahan deserves more consideration playing in a slightly deeper role given how well he took his chance in the FA Cup fixtures.
However, the main reason to switch up the system would be to get Dwight Gayle into his best position. The striker, as everyone knows, is wasted as a winger and it’s almost a guarantee that he will score goals up top.
Sometimes tweaking the system can be slightly risky, but Ipswich at home on Saturday couldn’t be a better chance to make changes.
Regardless of what Moore decides to do, I’m sure most Albion fans want last Friday to be the last they see of the 4-3-3 formation.