Cheltenham boss tips Josh Griffiths to hit Premier League heights for West Brom
Josh Griffiths is in the midst of a stellar season on loan at Cheltenham Town and he has been tipped for a big future at West Brom.
The 19-year-old is enjoying his first spell away from The Hawthorns with his loan club sat in second place in League Two and eyeing automatic promotion to the third-tier of English football.
Griffiths has been vital to their success this season and he has kept 17 clean sheets in 35 league games, the most in the division, and that form earned him a spot in the England U21 squad for this month’s European Championships group stage fixtures.
As reported on the Birmingham Live website Cheltenham boss Michael Duff has lavished praise on the shot-stopper and suggests his value has sky-rocketed.
“He’s a West Brom player but we’re very proud of it, the fact that he’s had the recognition playing for us,” he said.
“We’d like to think that one day he could go and play in the Premier League for West Brom.
“It’ll add value to him, being called up to the 21s. I don’t know what his market value is, but he’ll be worth more this week than he was last week because of his call up.”
Griffiths v Palmer?
It could be a battle of the Albion goalkeeping loanees next season.
While Griffiths is impressing in League Two Alex Palmer has earned plaudits for his Lincoln City displays in the division above and, at 24, looks to have the edge on his teammate.
The future of Sam Johnstone is unclear but it would be no surprise to see him tempted away before next season kicks off so that would leave the club one player light in the goalkeeping department.
David Button might make a run for the No.1 berth but the stage is set for Palmer and Griffiths to battle it out for the jersey.
As reported by Birmingham Live former Baggie and current coach at the club Boaz Myhill said: “If he’s needed to play for us I’m sure he’d do a good job – as would Alex. In the short term, maybe another loan would be in his interests.”
That suggest Palmer might win have won the battle due to his seniority but Griffiths will be confident of winning the war and proving Duff right.
In other West Brom news, our view on how Alex Palmer has done himself no favours in battle for No.1 albion jersey.
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