View: Chris Brunt can sort solve Matheus Pereira set-piece problem at West Brom
Chris Brunt has been appointed as a coach with the club’s academy but West Brom could also make use of him for the senior team to solve a key issue.
Brunty is an Albion legend after making 421 appearances during a hugely successful 13-year spell in the West Midlands.
He departed for Bristol City last year but after injury caused him to retire from his playing days, the West Brom hierarchy have moved quickly to bring him back to The Hawthorns to assist U-23 boss Dean Burton [WBA website].
Brunt may be tasked with sorting the second-string and young talents out but we think he could have words of wisdom for a senior star.
Matheus Pereira has shown flashes of brilliance but he has also been harangued in some quarters for deficiencies in his game, notably by The Athletic’s Steve Madeley who recently suggested Robert Snodgrass should replace him as the club’s set-piece taker.
Pereira could certainly do with some guidance on his final ball.
According to Wyscout, he has a 28.6% cross completion in the Premier League this season.
If that looks bad, take a look at his recent performances.
Against Newcastle United, the Brazilian attempted eight but was only successful with one [13%] while he failed to record a single cross [0/4] in the previous fixture v Everton.
His three previous starts prior only brought about one in total.
That is why we think Brunt could be asked to go above and beyond his current job title.
Because who knows better about whipping a ball in than Brunty?
His devilish deliveries to the head of Gareth McAuley were a feature of our games in years gone by and proved hugely successful in our long Premier League stay.
Snodgrass needs no telling but at 24-years-old Pereira could do with an arm around the shoulder and Brunt could provide just that.
If Brunt has any involvement in first-team matters don’t be surprised to see Pereira up those crossing numbers and improve on his set-piece to prove Snodgrass is not required.
In other West Brom news, Big Sam details pressure of Albion job.
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