‘A lot of room to improve’ – Bilic compares West Brom player to Jamie Vardy
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic compared Conor Townsend’s career path to that of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, describing him as a great professional.
The left-back joined the club from Scunthorpe in 2018 after spending a number of years in the lower leagues and has started four of the Baggies’ six Premier League fixtures so far this season (via WhoScored).
Bilic said that while Townsend is not the perfect player, he is a hard worker with plenty of room to improve.
“There’s no reason why we should always put a question above his name and after every not great game say, ‘League One player’,” Bilic told The Athletic.
“It’s hard for him to get confidence like that. I also played in League One in former Yugoslavia and in a few years’ time I was in the Premier League. Jamie Vardy played in non-League and he’s now one of the best strikers in the world.
“I’m not saying Conor is at that level but in the last couple of years, he’s been playing in the Championship, which is only one level lower. Is he the complete, perfect player? No. There is a lot of room to improve but at the moment he is playing well, he gives his best, he’s a great worker and a great professional.”
Looking to improve
Despite his rather unusual route to the top of the game, Townsend now has the opportunity to cement his spot as West Brom’s number one choice left-back.
Making four starts so far this season, he has contributed to the two improved defensive performances in the Baggies most recent games, with a Branislav Ivanovic own goal the only goal they have conceded (via WhoScored).
With 2.8 aerial duels won per match, only the departed Ahmed Hegazi and right-back Darnell Furlong have won more, while he has averaged 1.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.5 clearances per game (via WhoScored).
In other West Brom news, Fulham handed massive blow ahead of clash v West Brom