James McClean stepped onto the Hawthorns pitch with 20 minutes remaining in West Brom's New Year's Eve draw against Arsenal. 10 minutes later, McClean would look at Ben Foster's goal in dismay: Alexis Sanchez's free kick was redirected past Foster via a deflection off the Ireland international's leg.
McClean had turned his body as the Chilean's shot flew towards him. That was an action which Gary Neville was critical of on commentary for Sky Sports, "He turns his back, don't turn your back; get hit, stand strong. Your team have played so well and you turn your back in the moment where your team can't afford you to.'
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, West Brom manager Alan Pardew highlighted McClean's part in the goal.
You bring a sub on…James McClean is as honest as the day is long but I said to him at the end, ‘You can’t turn your back like that’. It’s there for everyone to see so he can’t hide from it, he’ll have to learn from that.
But he gave us some energy and helped us get back in the game actually.
In his post-match press conference, Pardew said that McClean, who had been a late addition to the West Brom defensive wall, had been told to step in by management.
Pardew added that John Carver, one of his assistants, had suggested an "old school" punishment for McClean. However, Pardew said they would instead focus on the positive impact which McClean had on the game. He also disclosed that McClean had acknowledged his mistake in the dressing room.
He was encouraged to because I thought we needed another body in there and then he’s turned his back.
He’ll learn from that lesson because he’s a strong character. And he acknowledged that in the dressing room.
We’re not going to go over it. I think John Carver did suggest a bit of old school, put him in the goal and let’s all kick the ball at him to teach him a lesson. We’ll go away from that. We’re much more intelligent these days John Carver, thank you.
James changed the game a little bit, he started getting down that left side and we got a little bit of joy out of him.
We’ll lean on that, rather than him turning his back.
