Merson: Worried for West Brom

They just don't look like scoring. I think they are going to struggle badly, I like West Brom but the way they play, sorry but they are not going to score a goal.

Paul Merson
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• Stoke City
• West Bromwich Albion

Paul Merson watched West Brom go down to Stoke and is concerned about their Premiership survival.

They remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after slipping to a late 1-0 defeat to Stoke City at The Britannia.

Chances were few and far between but with just six minutes left in the game The Potters secured the victory through Mamady Sidibe in the best move of the match.

"West Brom for me just pass the ball around without going anywhere," said Merson on Soccer Saturday.

"They just don't look like scoring. I think they are going to struggle badly, I like West Brom but the way they play, sorry but they are not going to score a goal.

They need to change their style - it is all passed in triangles around the half way line. It looks good but they don't go anywhere and teams break off them when they lose the ball.

"I just can't see them staying up."

Merson was also not impressed with Stoke but had high praise for their winning goal which was pure class.

Danny Higginbotham found space on the overlap and drifted a cross high to the far post. West Brom were not short of numbers in the box but Sidibe rose almost unchallenged to head across Carson and into the corner.

"Stoke didn't play either, it is probably the worst they have played for awhile," added Merson.

"The goal was world class though; it was a header worthy of winning any match.

"If Manchester United or Chelsea had scored it we would have all been raving about it.

"Fair play, great goal."