Just four minutes into West Brom's Monday night game at Stamford Bridge, there was a predictable scene. In his third appearance for West Brom since joining on loan from Liverpool, Daniel Sturridge - the man Alan Pardew brought in to score the goals which would lift the club to safety - left the pitch injured.
Jay Rodriguez stepped off the bench to replace Sturridge. Rodriguez is currently going through some off the field problems due to an alleged incident during West Brom's game against Brighton last month. The FA has charged the 28-year-old with racially abusing Brighton defender Gaetan Bong.
Shortly after entering the action, Rodriguez had a glorious chance to give his side the lead. Through on goal following a mistake by Victor Moses, Rodriguez frustratingly took a first time shot which went harmlessly outside the post.
The chance was the subject of a question by Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison in his post-match interview with Alan Pardew. Oddly, Davison inquired if Rodriguez taking the shot early had anything to do with his off the field issues.
Just on one of those big chances, Jay Rodriguez, it seemed like an odd decision to take it so early. Do you think that has anything to do with what's going on off the field, without going into any details particularly?
Pardew was initially somewhat surprised by the question. Though he dealt with it well.
"I think that's really... not a very nice question if I'm honest. I don't think it has anything to do with it if I'm honest.
"It's just the confidence maybe to take an extra and take it nearer the goal but I don't think it has anything to do with that at all. I don't know where you're getting that judgment from, I'm sorry."
Davison is building himself a history of annoying managers with what initially appear to be harmless enough questions. It was an especially strange query given that Rodriguez did not seem affected in the rest of his play. He was a willing outlet for West Brom.
"I just wonder, is the decision making affected by having a lot going on off the pitch?" Davison again asked Pardew, adding "I don't mean anything untoward by that."
Pardew simply dismissed it as poor decision making by his player.
I don't think so. It's just a poor decision. He probably thought that the goalie might not have been set and to take it early was the best option. In hindsight he should take a touch in there and bury it. I can't imagine that was anything to do with it, I'm sorry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHpbOZG5T60
