Early West Brom team news v Blackpool: David Button will start in goal
West Brom manager Steve Bruce has confirmed a major change to his Baggies side for Good Friday’s visit of Blackpool to The Hawthorns.
The 61-year-old spoke to the media today (Thursday 14 April) and revealed that David Button will start in goal against the Seasiders and for “the next few games”, as reported by BBC Radio West Midlands Sport on Twitter.
The move has likely been made with usual number one Sam Johnstone heading for the exit door at the end of the season amid interest from Manchester United [Express and Star], Tottenham and Southampton [both The Sun].
Bruce also confirmed the return from injury of attacking midfielder Matt Phillips after a long time on the sidelines who will start tomorrow’s clash with the Tangerines on the bench.
Why Button?
It is absolutely the right decision to axe Johnstone given he doesn’t want to be here anymore and the feeling is starting to be mutual too with the club not best pleased with his actions.
But why play the 33-year-old Button when you have the much younger alternative of Alex Palmer waiting in the wings.
It shows a real lack of forward-thinking in reality to opt for someone nearing the end of their career rather than an up and coming ace who could have another 10-15 years in the game.
Palmer is just 25 years of age and could have eight or nine years as the Albion number one if he would just be given a chance.
West Brom are getting dangerously close to losing him altogether and then scratching their heads when he makes a name for himself in the Premier League.
They will go crawling back to him, begging him to rejoin but you’d expect him to tell them exactly where they can go if they do.
It’s wonderful to see Bruce take a stand, but he has chosen the wrong replacement and he probably knows it too.
In other West Brom news, hear what Daryl Dike has had to say about the Albion boss and what he did that left him “thrilled.”
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