Sam Allardyce: West Brom need to sign players to immediately improve side
Sam Allardyce says signing players who will immediately improve Albion’s team will be key if they are to stay in the Premier League.
The Baggies ended 2020 with a 5-0 home defeat to Leeds before then being thumped 4-0 by Arsenal at The Hawthorns.
Speaking after both games, Allardyce admitted he was shell-shocked by the performances as his side continues to concede sloppy goals.
And he admitted - now the transfer window is open - he has to bring in players to both improve the team and lift morale.
“The window has only just opened and we will do what we can find players in this pandemic,” the boss said.
"I think it will be the hardest window I have ever worked in.
“But if players are available - and this is said with no disrespect to my players at all because they are all trying as hard as they can - but I do have to try and find better to lift the squad and lift their confidence.
“That is what happened at every other club I have been at in the January window and that has always been well greeted by the squad we already had.
“And we have always got better results and moved up the table.
“Any players we bring in have to be better than what we have and capable of going into the team immediately.”
A brace from Alexandre Lacazette as well as goals from Kieran Tiernay and Bukayo Saka saw Arsenal cruise to their 4-0 win.
And Allardyce believes the hectic festive schedule hasn’t helped his side who have now conceded 12 goals in their last three home games.
"It’s another game gone by where we learn more about the players we have,” the 66-year-old continued.
“We have learned an awful lot about what we can and cannot do.
“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.
"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, be more determined and defend better. It is as simple as that.”
