Cedric Kipre questioned by journalist during first half of West Brom v Bournemouth
West Brom made a poor start to their 2021/22 Championship campaign as Bournemouth took an early lead at the Vitality Stadium on Friday night.
Emiliano Marcondes opened the scoring in the 12th minute for the Cherries, and it was an unfamiliar face in the West Brom defence that was largely to blame.
Cedric Kipre barely played for Albion last season after joining from Wigan Athletic, but he was handed his first league start after loanee Matt Clarke was ruled out through injury before the game.
However, the 24-year-old was heavily involved as Albion conceded early on.
Writing on his personal Twitter profile, Birmingham Live journalist Joe Chapman took aim at the Albion defence, with Kipre particularly culpable.
Chapman said: “A nightmare for the Albion defence. Kipre commits and Bournemouth overload the right-hand side of defence. The ball is pulled back across goal and Marcondes converts. [Valerien] Ismael taking the chance in a break in play to issue instructions.”
Tough adjustment
It’s hard to lay too much blame at Kipre’s door – he’s barely played competitive football with these West Brom players and won’t have been expecting to start with Clarke certain to have taken his place if fit.
It looks like there was a late withdrawal as Albion only named six players on the bench, and despite an excellent, fast start as Ismael’s men piled on the pressure, Bournemouth countered and made the visitors pay.
Of course Kipre should be doing a bit better and be more aware, but it’s early days in the season and we’re certainly not prepared to castigate a player who has been given such few opportunities to impress.
Hopefully, Kipre learns from this experience and builds his confidence up to challenge the likes of Clarke and Dara O’Shea for a spot in the starting XI this season.
In other West Brom news, Wayne Rooney reacts to major Albion transfer question.
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