Lee Hendrie slams Jordan Hugill for big miss in West Brom clash v Barnsley
West Brom striker Jordan Hugill faced criticism from Lee Hendrie in Albion’s 0-0 draw against Barnsley tonight (17 December).
Albion were big favourites going into the game at Oakwell as the Tykes are 23rd in the Championship table, but Valerien Ismael’s side could not find a goal and had to settle for a point.
In the first half Hugill missed an excellent opportunity as his shot from eight yards out was blocked on the line following Conor Townsend’s cut back.
Hendrie was co-commentator for the game on Sky Sports Football and felt that the striker should have done much better with the opportunity.
“You have to question Jordan Hugill,” the pundit said. “He’s got to score, for me. When the goal is there, you either have to hit it with pace, I feel like he did get enough on it, but [put it] anywhere away from that far area.
“I feel like he can slot it in this near post towards him and it would be 1-0.
“As a striker that will be one that will be in his thoughts all evening.”
Low on confidence
Hugill’s miss proved to be hugely costly for West Brom in the context of the game, as they missed the chance to go level on points with second-place Bournemouth.
It just hasn’t worked out for the striker in his loan spell from Norwich City, as he has scored just once in 19 appearances; Friday night’s game was his ninth match in a row without finding the back of the net.
That is bound to affect his confidence and perhaps if he was on a scoring streak then he would have easily put that first half chance away.
Hugill’s woes in front of goal reflect a general lack of cutting edge in the Albion team and Valerien Ismael is set to be on the hunt for a new striker in the January transfer window.
The 29-year-old has been linked with a return to Norwich and there would not be many supporters sad to see him go.
In other West Brom news, a pundit has cast doubt over Albion’s pursuit of a Premier League striker.
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