This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
West Brom head into this weekend’s fixtures still top of the Championship after 13 matches.
Slaven Bilic’s side host Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon, looking to continue their reign in pole position, but they will need to improve if their performance last time out was anything to go by.
The division’s basement boys Barnsley gave them the run around on Tuesday night, going into the break 2-0 up thanks to a quickfire six-minute brace from Cauley Woodrow.
Albion’s boss did manage to inspire a comeback as his half-time substitutions made a significant impact, none more so than Conor Townsend, who replaced Nathan Ferguson before providing the assist for Matheus Pereira’s late equaliser.
The Baggies will no doubt need to improve as the Addicks come to town some 13 points better off than Barnsley.
Over the last two matches, Bilic has been without one of his mainstays in Matty Phillips, who had started every Championship game until this injury.
The Croatian has been somewhat cryptic over the 28-year-old over the past week as he expected him back for Tuesday night’s game, but he didn’t even feature on the bench, and since then, he has claimed precisely the same ahead of this weekend’s home match.
A few days ago, the former West Ham boss also said that his ‘top talent’ Chris Willock will have to be patient for an opportunity in West Brom’s senior side.
However, that chance may come sooner than expected, given Bilic’s comments weren’t too long ago.
If Phillips’ injury problems continue to persist, Willock could well be called upon to fill in his absence – Kyle Edwards didn’t do much to prove why he should deputise after he was hauled off at half-time against the Tykes.
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There’s also a very good chance that the winger’s woes do rumble on as such injuries have blighted his career in recent years – he hasn’t started more than 26 league matches in any of his previous three seasons at the Hawthorns, per WhoScored.
Willock has started life with the U23s pretty well, considering he has two goals and two assists from four appearances. Therefore it would make perfect sense for Bilic to promote him in the near future.
