Resolve Evans' future and other things Pardew needs to do at West Brom

Sport360 staff 17:43 29/11/2017
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  • Alan Pardew has been named as West Brom‘s new manager.

    He inherits a side two points above the relegation zone and Press Association Sport has taken a look at what Pardew needs to do at The Hawthorns.

    WIN OVER THE DOUBTERS

    On the face of it swapping Tony Pulis for Alan Pardew is not a dynamic step forward.

    Albion are in the same circumstances to January 2015 go when they hired Pulis, sitting one point above the relegation zone.

    Pardew, Sam Allardyce and David Moyes are the old heads on the managerial merry-go-round and the pressure of the Premier League, and possibly losing the top flight money, means owners turn to them.

    Pardew will have his early critics and he must win them round – something Pulis never did.

    Will have his task cut out: Alan Pardew

    Will have his task cut out: Alan Pardew

    ADD SOME STYLE

    Pardew needs to bring some flair to a West Brom team which has been desperately lacking invention.

    Pulis’ reign was a marriage of convenience when he came in to save them from a relegation battle but fans soon tired as they looked for progression.

    Albion pay good money – shelling out £100,000-a-week for PSG loanee Grzegorz Krychowiak – so they need some style to add to what substance they have.

    Placed 16th in the Premier League table: West Brom

    Placed 16th in the Premier League table: West Brom

    MANAGE EXPECTATIONS

    Baggies fans can quite rightly ask for more than a relegation battle with the club now in a eighth straight Premier League season.

    They want to see the club challenge in at least the top 10 and even have a decent cup run once in a while.

    They can resist bids for their best players but while they fail to sell out The Hawthorns and as other clubs outstrip them financially there is a glass ceiling.

    Will be hoping for better things in the near future: West Brom fans

    Will be hoping for better things in the near future: West Brom fans

    RESOLVE JONNY EVANS’ FUTURE

    The captain is in line for a new deal after Manchester City, Arsenal and Leicester all failed with moves during the transfer window.

    Evans, contracted until 2019, is crucial to Albion having been given the captaincy after Darren Fletcher left for Stoke on a free transfer.

    West Brom can ill afford to lose someone so vital on and off the pitch.

    Playing as captain: Jonny Evans

    Playing as captain: Jonny Evans

    SORT THE BACKROOM STAFF OUT

    Caretaker Gary Megson confirmed last week he banished fellow assistant head coach Ben Garner from the training ground to ‘lift the mood’.

    Garner has not been sacked and the decision on whether he stays at the club will lie with the new manager – and Garner briefly worked with Pardew at Crystal Palace.

    Garner left Palace in July 2015 after seven months with Pardew so there is a call to be made.

    Hasn't been sacked yet: Gary Megson

    Hasn’t been sacked yet: Gary Megson

    Provided by Press Association Sport

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