Nigel Quashie hails Taylor Gardner-Hickman as West Brom victory provides ‘proof’ of quality
The magnificent West Brom win over Fulham is “proof” that the players are good enough after a poor run and should spur them on believes Nigel Quashie.
Steve Bruce’s side made it three games unbeaten as they unseated the league-leaders at the Hawthorns last night (Tuesday 15 March), in a game where they outplayed the high-flying visitors for the majority of the game.
A goal from Callum Robinson was enough to secure a 1-0 win that could easily have been more emphatic, and former midfielder Quashie hopes the result signals a strong end to the season.
Writing on his personal Twitter account after the game, the former Scotland international said: “The proof is when these players are at it they are more than good enough.
“A result like this should give the players an incentive to go on and have a positive run to the end of the season.”
He went on to single out one youngster whose elevation to the starting line-up has coincided with the upturn in form, adding: “BTW Taylor Gardner Hickman has been a breath of fresh air this season”.
Brilliant Baggies
After months of miserable football that saw Valerien Ismael sacked and no improvement for the opening weeks of the Bruce era, this was a welcome return for the Hawthorns crowd.
Were it not for some good saves from the Cottager’s keeper Marek Rodak, the woodwork, and some iffy refereeing the scoreline could have been greater.
It looks like the new-manager bounce that was nowhere to be seen for so long has finally arrived.
Back-to-back results against teams at the top of the table begs the question of why the players have performed so badly for a large chunk of the season.
20-year-old Gardner-Hickman’s emergence as a midfield force has been a major contributor.
The manager seemed to turn to the versatile player only after trying everything else, and victory at Hull duly followed.
He seems impossible to drop now, and fans will be feeling vindicated after calling for him to be given a chance.
The return of captain Jake Livermore can’t be underestimated, and his more tactically restrained role is also paying dividends.
Outplaying the strongest club in the division has raised the remote prospects of a late run at the playoffs.
It is not impossible yet, but it will take a few more performances like last night before it becomes a genuine prospect.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Friend had a stinker with one controversial decision last night.
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