MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 22:05:59| >> :120:11118:11118:

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:
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
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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!