Nick Ware

Tue 26 October 2021 19:10, UK

Jordan Hugill grabbed his first goal for West Brom on Saturday as the home side downed Bristol City 3-0 at The Hawthorns.

It was the 29-year-old’s first goal for the club since his summer arrival on loan from Norwich City, in his 10th game.

One would expect that strike to allay some fears of his suitability to the Albion side and help him to kick on.

However, Hugill really should have scored a few more, and there have to be question marks over whether he can do the business in the short or medium term.

While not attempting to take anything away from Hugill, his first West Brom goal was a tap-in against a really poor Bristol City side who had lost three of their last four games, conceding seven times.

When there were more questions asked of his movement, Hugill failed to deliver, as seen in this example below.

Jayson Molumby has won possession of the ball inside the centre-circle and hurtles towards goal.

A centre-forward with any degree of pace should have been looking to run in between and beyond the centre-backs either side of him, or pulled out slightly to the right for one to follow him, and the other centre-back to push onto Karlan Grant.

That would have potentially made it a three-on-two scenario whereby Molumby would be able to go alone or release as soon as one of the centre-backs pushed up.

However, Hugill’s lack of pace catches up with him as he remains on the other side of the defenders, and Molumby is forced wide.

Hugill’s inability to run beyond defenders is not his fault – West Brom knew what they were getting when they signed him – but it does highlight his deficiencies and how his limitations could hurt their promotion push, if he is tasked with being the main centre-forward for the remainder of the campaign.

There was another example of this in the first half as a slack Bristol City backpass allowed Hugill a clear run on goal.

There is a substantial gap between striker and defender as the former bears down on the Bristol City net.

However, the defender catches up with Hugill, making what looked like a clear one-on-one turn into a more difficult chance.

Perhaps someone quicker may have taken the ball around the goalkeeper.

Either way, he should have added to his tally as it was a fairly simple finish, and there were other examples of his profligacy in front of goal.

Of course, there will be scenarios where Hugill will be required, particularly against packed defences who sit in, meaning Albion will have to make greater use of crosses.

However, despite scoring his first goal, the warning signs are there for Valerien Ismael and the board if they do not sign another striker in January, one who can offer a physical presence as well as running in behind.

It didn’t cost them against a beleaguered Bristol City side, but it may well do further down the line, against a greater quality of opposition.

In other West Brom news, this ex-Albion sensation was seen at the club’s training ground on Monday amid a major summer development.

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