‘Pressure is on’ – Exclusive: Kevin Phillips makes claim about new West Brom signing
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Karlan Grant made his debut for West Brom on Monday in their goalless draw against Burnley at The Hawthorns.
It’s unlikely that many West Brom fans forked out the £14.95 pay-to-view charge to watch the match and see Grant, 23, play for the first time but ex-Baggies striker Kevin Phillips has offered his thoughts on the striker’s debut for Albion.
Grant did have a goal disallowed but Phillips saw enough from the former Huddersfield striker to suggest he might be able to bury his chances when they come along throughout the season.
“He was okay. I wouldn’t go any further than that. I won’t say he was disappointed or he was great,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“It’s always tough to come straight into the team. The pressure is on straight away to score goals. Obviously, he had a goal disallowed.
“It’s all about whether he gets the opportunities created for him to score goals. With Pereira one side and Diangana the other, as time goes on they will create chances and hopefully, Grant will get on the end of it.
“He’s a natural striker so he will get in the right areas. It’s just whether he can take those opportunities when they come his way.”
Grant’s appearance against Burnley was his first appearance since the end of last season as he hadn’t played for Huddersfield in the Championship prior to his move to Albion this term.
Considering the fact that he’s not match-fit and not used to playing with his new team-mates yet, it was a decent debut by Grant.
Of course, if he scored, it would have gone down as a dream debut.
That’s the small difference between getting people raving about you and getting people saying very little.
If Grant’s goal stood and Albion won, he’d have been the talk of the town this week and Phillips’ verdict would have been very different.
In other West Brom news, Steve Madeley has shared an update on the money Barcelona owe the Baggies for Louie Barry.
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