West Bromwich Albion continued their winless run today as they could only grind out a 0-0 bore draw against Luton Town.
Steve Bruce employed a tactical tweak by opting for a three-at-the-back system, with Conor Townsend and Matt Phillips as the wing-backs.
This seems to have worked defensively, as they limited the Hatters to just three shots on target. However, it left Albion similarly toothless up front, as they could only mustered the same amount.
The 61-year-old will certainly feel the pressure mounting now, as this result marked a ninth game without a win for the Baggies.
Whilst neither of the aforementioned wing-backs played particularly well, with the former only mustering a 6.5 average SofaScore rating, it was Phillips who was truly terrible today.
Admittedly playing slightly out of position, he showed just how out of his depth he was in a full-back role with a torrid defensive display and an impotent attacking output.
Who was the worst wing back today for West Brom?
The Scotsman played 86 minutes today and managed to lose possession an astounding 27 times. This can be traced back partly to his two unsuccessful dribble attempts and 25% crossing accuracy, showing how wasteful he was with the ball.
As mentioned already, his defensive display was not much better. He did not make a single tackle or clearance all day, with his only real contribution being his three interceptions.
Townsend also managed no tackles or clearances, but at least he was less wasteful in possession, losing the ball just 19 times by comparison.
Despite the clean sheet, Bruce must see after this performance that he clearly does not have the personnel for a wing-back formation. However, the results of late might mean that he will have few matches left to make such tweaks.
Albion still sits two points adrift of safety in the relegation zone, with Huddersfield Town below them possessing two games in hand as well.
Things are looking bleak for West Brom and Bruce, who may part ways sooner rather than later in an attempt to stop this rut.
The manager can blame both of his wing-backs for a lack of attacking threat today which could have won them the game, with Phillips particularly wasteful and ineffective.
