da brdice： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
da marjack bet： West Brom have almost gone full circle in just two years.
The end of the 2017/18 campaign saw their time in the Premier League cease for the time being, meaning they are currently enduring a second successive season in the Championship.
Albion were officially relegated under Darren Moore, who took the reins as caretaker boss with the club ten points adrift with six games remaining.
It would be fair to suggest that their demise was already set in motion at the hands of Alan Pardew and more significantly Tony Pulis before him.
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone suggested the Welshman was a victim of his own football philosophy as he was sacked in November 2017 after a run of ten games without a victory.
He also states that fans and even players alike grew tired of his ‘negative’ brand of football.
One player who was at the club during that time was Serge Gnabry, who now plays for Bayern Munich as surprising as that will be to some.
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Ahead of their Champions League tie with Tottenham Hotspur this week, their former loan winger was asked why it went so wrong at the Hawthorns – his answer was short, blunt, but straight to the point.
He said:
“Tony Pulis. Ask Tony Pulis.
“Different styles, different opinions. I can’t really say too much, but I tried my best at West Brom, and it didn’t work out.”
If there’s ever a word or phrase that epitomises where the Baggies’ downfall originated from, it’s that right there.
Now after missing out on a return to the promised land last season, they are giving it a right good go so far this campaign.
And that’s been down to Slaven Bilic – whose presence, style and tactics are a completely different contrast to that of Pulis’.
Another world away, in fact.
As West Brom geared up to face Leeds United on Tuesday night, the Croatian had guided them to an unbeaten start in the Championship – nine straight games without defeat.
Their system is exciting, fast-paced, and heavily pass focused.
The Baggies rank second in the league for pass success percentage, only behind Fulham at 82.6% while 75% of their attacks come through the flanks which isn’t a shock considering the pace and power they have at their disposal.
Matty Phillips, Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira and Kyle Edwards are just some of the options.
West Brom needed a man like Bilic. He’s fully transformed the club around from those dark days which surely would have still been fresh in the minds of some throughout the west Midlands before this campaign.
And in some ways, the Croatian needed West Brom – his career had taken a dip following his departure from West Ham as his stint in Saudi Arabia was rather short-lived.