View: Bilic must give ‘top player’ first PL start of season v Crystal Palace after major blow
West Brom defender Conor Townsend was ruled out for up to six weeks on Friday, in a huge blow for the Baggies and manager Slaven Bilic.
Townsend has been a hugely important part of the Baggies team this year, averaging 6.54 progressive passes and 3.21 final third entry passes per 90 minutes (via FBRef).
While his defensive work remains a question mark, his attacking work has made him invaluable and that is why it will be tough to replace him.
The conventional options include Kieran Gibbs and Dara O’Shea, but there are issues surrounding both of them. Gibbs really struggled early in the season as the Baggies suffered two heavy defeats against Leicester City and Everton, with the former Arsenal man being dismissed against the Toffees.
He is also coming back from a period of self-isolation and only returned to training this week. His level of fitness remains to be seen while even at his best, he has not shown the attacking dynamism of Townsend.
O’Shea meanwhile, is a solid defender and a nice future prospect. However, he is more defensive-minded, having played at centre-back a lot and has only played on the left in a back four. As a wing-back, his ability to get up and down and deliver into the box would likely be exposed.
With neither Gibbs nor O’Shea ideal options, Bilic should turn to the versatile Matt Phillips. The former Queens Park Rangers man can play almost anywhere on the pitch and as a natural winger or striker, he could provide plenty of offensive impetus from the wing-back position.
Speaking about his last year, Bilic described Phillips as a “top player” and praised his attacking potential (via Express and Star). While he is yet to start a match this season, he has appeared seven times from the bench and has featured on either flank (via WhoScored). He is right-footed but he can provide quality in the final third and Bilic has a back three covering his defensive weaknesses.
Bringing in Phillips is certainly a downgrade on Townsend, but given the circumstances, he is the best option. Defensively it could be a risk, but given the Baggies have really struggled to score all season, they need to replace one of their more important attacking pieces with a player that possesses attacking instincts.
In other West Brom news, why the Baggies are in the ideal position to add second win v Crystal Palace
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