A number of West Brom fans have turned to social media to fume over Darren Moore’s decision to make mass changes for the League Cup clash against Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening.
The Baggies play host to their former Premier League rivals at the Hawthorns, and revealed via their official Twitter account that the manager had chosen to make 10 changes from the side which defeated Millwall 2-0 at home on Saturday.
Doing battle with @CPFC…#WBACRY | #COYB | #WBA pic.twitter.com/5tqfoz9Qhm
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) September 25, 2018
Ahmed Hegazi is the only survivor from the mass changes as Moore looks to take his side to the fourth round of the cup competition, having already beaten Luton Town and Mansfield on their way to the current stage, the Eagles having seen off Swansea in the last round.
However the decision to rest some of his big names has not gone down well with the Baggies faithful on Twitter, with one even joking about getting Oliver Burke a transfer request after he missed out on the team.
This is Futbol has gathered a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
No speed. All bench
— RichardH (@Geordiebaggie) September 25, 2018
Looks like we’re out then
— George Price (@GxorgeyP) September 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bxrnseyy/status/1044647964189360129
Rate it.
Said no-one.
Game will only get exciting when Gayle comes on
— Liam? (@LiamCooper_20) September 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/cvej3/status/1044648606068871168
Mears v’s Andros Townsend ????
— Andrew Grainger (@kingofchezo_WBA) September 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/Baggie_Tillidie/status/1044649173268795392
I think I might get Oli Burke a Christmas present. Or a transfer request.. ?
— Matt (@MutleyyWBA) September 25, 2018
Opinion
Some managers like to use the League Cup as an opportunity to bed their youngsters into the starting XI, and while Moore might have brought in some fringe figures, there is a huge amount of experience in that side thanks to the likes of Gareth Barry and James Morrison. The fans are evidently not happy at the way the boss seems to have written off the competition by using what is basically a second choice side, but the decision is understandable. The cup is by no means the club’s priority after dropping into the second tier from the Premier League last season, and by keeping his top stars out of the firing line he is ensuring they are ready for action when the Championship comes back round. Add the fact that Crystal Palace are a top flight side with much more quality in depth than the Baggies, and almost accepting defeat, while handing game time to youngsters, is a smart thing to do.