Kevin Phillips shares verdict on Grady Diangana ahead of West Brom v Middlesbrough
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…
Kevin Phillips has insisted that Grady Diangana needs an extended run in the West Brom side starting against Middlesbrough this evening.
The ex-Baggies talisman admitted that Valerien Ismael was too inconsistent with his selection, which didn’t help the winger and his form.
Steve Bruce has shared that he views Diangana as one of the best, and that he wants to get the best out of him at The Hawthorns.
“I think it’s one of those where he probably just needs to play more,” he exclusively told West Brom News.
“He probably needs to be told ‘you’re going to play now for five games on the bounce, get your head around it, you’re going to get a run of games. Go and show us what you’re made of.
“Don’t worry about it if you don’t play so well tonight.’ Whereas under Ismael obviously, he liked to chop and change it. That leads to inconsistency, but nevertheless, the player has to step up when he’s given an opportunity. You can’t keep using excuses.
“There are no excuses he can use, we know he’s a good player, go and show it. We’ve only seen glimpses of it really. It’s about getting a regular run of games so for the manager to come out and say that, you’ve got to think it will be backed up now with a consistent run of games in the side and hopefully, the player will step up and deliver.”
Diangana needs to prove himself, we all know that, but he also needs to be given the chance to do that.
Alongside Karlan Grant, he offers great pace and skills out wide, more so than any other current option in the squad.
Should he not prove himself in the next five games, though, there can be no excuses if he is shipped back onto the bench.
In other West Brom news, One key Baggies ace could start for the first time in months against Middlesbrough