Fletcher: Baggies tactics are just like Manchester United

Tony Pulis sides may, unfairly or otherwise, be renowned for their dour, defensive displays, but Darren Fletcher claims West Brom use exactly the same tactics as Manchester United did under the exalted Sir Alex Ferguson.

West Brom came under particular fire last term after netting just 34 Premier League goals for the entire season – only hapless, bottom-of-the-table, Aston Villa scored less.

This year, the Baggies are firmly in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals scored but still have a tendency to sit back and get men behind the ball in matches, especially away from home.

Yet skipper Fletcher insists that tactic is simply used for the first quarter of games on the road to frustrate the opposition and get the crowd to turn – much like United did during his 12 years in the first-team at Old Trafford.

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“It’s not the plan to sit out [and defend] for the whole game,” said Fletcher. “It’s to stay tight for the first 15 or 20 minutes.

“That’s the game plan most teams do away from home.

“I’ve been at Manchester United where we were the same – you can’t let the team score in the first 20 minutes.

“It’s not the game plan to do it for the whole game. It’s to try and get them frustrated, open and stretched and take advantage.

“The flip side of it is, if you do concede an early goal it does affect the game plan.”