Kevin Phillips disappointed with Jordan Hugill at West Brom as loanee misses opportunities
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Jordan Hugill has failed to grasp the opportunities he’s been handed during his loan spell at West Brom, according to Kevin Phillips.
Hugill, 29, joined the Albion on a season-long loan from Norwich in the summer but has so far scored just one goal in 17 Championship appearances, although only five of them have been starts.
He missed a huge chance to score a late winner against Nottingham Forest last week, adding to what has been a really frustrating loan spell so far for the striker.
Phillips has been disappointed with the lack of impact from the former West Ham forward at The Hawthorns but hopes that things do change soon.
“I thought they should give him a run of games to see if he can step up to the plate but he hasn’t played a lot of football in the last couple of years and it’s difficult to come in with the pressure there,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“My only slight criticism of West Brom would be that [Valerien] Ismael has never really found a settled front-three, he keeps chopping and changing it.
“It worked for the first 10 games when they were unbeaten and top of the league but more recently, it’s clear to see the chopping and changing has disrupted the side.
“Of course, they’ve had some suspensions but players, like Hugill, haven’t stepped up to the plate and taken their opportunities.
“I thought if he got a run of games, he would score goals.
“It’s a slight concern but there’s still plenty of time left this season and hopefully, he can score a couple of goals and his form will pick up to help West Brom.”
Hugill has never really been a goalscorer in his career but the loanee is in the second-worst rut, in terms of xG, in the last six years [Albion Analytics].
In other West Brom news, Simon Jordan was furious with one moment during the game against Coventry.
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