View: West Brom could save money amid emergence of youngster dubbed ‘magnificent’ by Bilic
West Brom have the best squad in the Championship but that does not mean that Slaven Bilic is not prone to having a selection crisis here and there.
Although the Baggies boss does have a pair of full-backs who are fit at the moment in Darnell Furlong and Conor Townsend, there are huge questions marks surrounding Nathan Ferguson and Kieran Gibbs.
Ferguson’s contract issue has been well-documented.
The impressive teenager has burst onto the scene at The Hawthorns this season but his good form and the fact his contract expires in the summer has led to links with top clubs in England and Europe.
Ferguson has also had injury issues over the festive period – but not like that of Gibbs.
Gibbs has managed just nine appearances for West Brom this season due to constant injury issues with his hamstring.
The former Arsenal left-back is now set to miss the next five weeks of action with his latest setback that was suffered against Barnsley on Boxing Day.
Luckily, Dara O’Shea’s emergence could mean that West Brom can save money on signing a new full-back this month as the 20-year-old impressed in the right-back role on Sunday.
O’Shea has only made two senior appearances for the Baggies before the trip to play Charlton at The Valley in the FA Cup third-round, but he looked completely at home in a role that is largely unfamiliar to him.
Bilic was full of praise for the young Irish defender after the 1-0 win.
“We thought we were OK there, in those positions, covered, and then suddenly you have two full-backs,” said Bilic, as quoted by the Express & Star.
“That’s why we put Dara there, and he was magnificent.
“He can play that easy, he can be a really good option at full-back.
“I had that feeling, but I wanted to try him there first in a game like this, in a competitive game.
“He proved me right, and again I’m much calmer now for these positions.
“They became kind of a worry, but I’m calmer now.”
If O’Shea can prove himself to be adept at playing at right-back, then Bilic’s options are pretty much sorted as long as Ferguson is not sold this month.
Furlong and O’Shea can play at right-back, Ferguson can play as both right-back and left-back and Townsend is there at left-back. Chris Brunt might also be someone to consider on the left-hand side of the back-four although his lack of pace could be an issue.
Gibbs will return at some point, so there is a raft of options there for Bilic even if there is another injury for him to worry about.
O’Shea’s impressive display was great to see and Bilic is no doubt pleased that he does not have to spread his January funds as thin to strengthen his squad.
In other West Brom news, fans have hailed this Under-23s ace for his latest display.