MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 19:17:13| >> :120:6903:6903:

Sam Allardyce praises Thomas Tuchel for emphasis on defence

Sam Allardyce praises Thomas Tuchel for emphasis on defence
© Reuters
The West Brom boss is a fan of the German's early work at Stamford Bridge.

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce praised his Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel for prioritising defensive solidity on his arrival in the Premier League.

Chelsea are unbeaten in all competitions since Tuchel succeeded Frank Lampard in January and have conceded just two goals in his 14 matches in charge.

Allardyce takes his side to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and he said of the German's start: "Fantastic because he's done the right thing. Start with clean sheets and then you build from there. He's done that absolutely magnificently.

"That's not to say that Chelsea are not very entertaining, because the quality of the players they've got at the other end, they are, and obviously I'm very jealous about that.

"But our players have equalled and matched teams like Manchester United here, Liverpool away and Manchester City, so we've got to go and do the same to Chelsea, and that is play a very good tactical game on nullifying their strengths.

"But there's one thing that's going to be very difficult for us and that's break down that very good defensive unit he's got. It has been a very good start for him."

It does not bode well for the Baggies that they are the second lowest scorers in the Premier League with only 20 goals from their 29 games.

Allardyce said: "When you're in our position and they're in their position, you know before you go into the game that your possession stats are going to be lower than Chelsea's. It's making out the players to be most effective in those possessions.

"I think normally it's us playing counter-attacking football, playing quick, sharp, forward passes to maybe exploit the spaces Chelsea will leave. If we spend too much time slowing it down, passing sideways and backwards, they will come and do a high press and take the ball off us."

West Brom have, though, produced some impressive performances against the top teams and have taken points off Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Allardyce said: "I'll remind them about the performance at Man City I watched on telly. I'll remind them about the performance at Liverpool away.

"I'll certainly remind them about the two performances at The Hawthorns against Manchester United and Everton, which we certainly should have got at least four points out of, if not six.

"That obviously didn't happen because of our lack of finishing quality but they've done it before so, if they can replicate that, they'll get themselves a chance to get a result or maybe even beat Chelsea.

"We have to keep going and keep believing, and hopefully the lads that get the chances start being more clinical and start trying to win us games of football."

ID:441513: cacheID:441513:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4134:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce pictured on March 4, 2021
Read Next:
Allardyce reacts to Robson-Kanu being sent home by Wales
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!