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West Bromwich Albion manager Darren Moore has refused to rule out changing his preferred 4-3-3 system following the 4-0 defeat against Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday, and the potential decision would undoubtedly change the Baggies’ season for the better.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the 44-year-old has largely been stubborn when it has come to his use of formations this season, even if it has seen summer arrival Dwight Gayle play out wide rather than through the middle – surely his preferred position.
The 4-3-3 has come up short in recent times though with the west Midlands outfit failing to find the net in the losses against Sheffield United and subsequently their Yorkshire rivals Leeds, and they have gone from serious automatic promotion contenders to being seven points adrift of the top two with just 11 Championship fixtures remaining this term.
However, Moore has suggested in quotes reported by The Express & Star that he is willing to be more flexible: “I’m not afraid to play players in different positions and different shapes in the systems and it is something that this year we’ve always alluded to.”
When asked if the result should signal the end of his current system, he added: “I don’t know yet.”
Switch on the cards?
It appears so seeing as he has said he is open to change, and has refused to rule out ditching the formation he utilises currently.
While the Baggies have largely done well this season, successive reverses against promotion rivals appear to have alerted the manager to the fact changes are need if the club is to stay in the race to finish in the top two.
More adaptability and using Gayle in his preferred position – potentially alongside Jay Rodriguez up top – would give West Brom the extra defensive cover they were completely missing at Elland Road.
