Ben Brown

Mon 18 April 2022 22:05, UK

West Brom were put to the sword by Nottingham Forest as Steve Bruce’s side capitulated completely in a 4-0 defeat at the City Ground.

Brennan Johnson, Ryan Yates, Jack Colback and Sam Surridge all netted as Forest embarassed their woeful visitors to strengthen their own push for promotion from the Championship.

Darnell Furlong made an already difficult task a mountain to climb after his nonsensical sending off for two bookings, leaving the pitch after only 18 minutes.

The result practically ends Albion’s slim play-off chances and here, West Brom News rates the players out of 10 for their performances:

David Button – 4

Can’t be blamed for any of the goals and was massively let down by those in front of him. Did what he could to get West Brom up the pitch and played some reasonable punts upfield for Carroll to contest.

Daragh O’Shea – 4

Didn’t do anything too wrong but also nothing too well. Made a few silly fouls but can’t really be blamed given the circumstances.

Kyle Bartley – 2

Difficult task but really didn’t step up to it as an experienced defender. Lost Yates from a corner far too cheaply for the second and took several needless risks in possession which put his teammates under unnecessary pressure.

Matt Clarke – 5

The best of a bad bunch in defence. Managed to stand firm against wave after wave of Forest attacks and made a few crucial challenges to ensure the scoreline remained respectable.

Darnell Furlong – 1

Simply abysmal. One feels generous after picking up a needless booking for cleaning out Philip Zinckernagel, then inexplicably raising his arms to block James Garner’s shot to be sent for an early bath three minutes later. Misplaced several crosses before both incidents and couldn’t have really had a worse evening.

Conor Townsend – 3

Was always going to be a difficult evening against Johnson and Djed Spence and struggled throughout against both. Gave away several free kicks in dangerous positions which added to the bombardment into the box from Forest.

Adam Reach – 4

Tried to stay busy and picked up a few decent positions, but lacked a final ball. Only one who managed to get close to Andy Carroll and at least tried to make things happen even if they didn’t come off.

Jake Livermore – 3

Spent an awful lot of his time moaning at referee David Webb, and when he did get on with his football the skipper failed to offer any stability in midfield. Didn’t lead by example at all as the game was done and dusted by halftime.

Alex Mowatt – 4

Didn’t show a lack of effort on his return from injury but struggled to ever really stamp himself on the game, albeit in difficult circumstances. With the game gone and mindful of fitness was withdrawn in the 53rd minute for Jayson Molumby.

Andy Carroll – 5

Kept battling in his thankless task as the lone striker. Showed a few neat touches to bring others into play and won several free-kicks in promising areas which Albion failed to take advantage of. Man of the match on a night with few candidates.

Karlan Grant – 3

Was always going to be difficult after Furlong’s sending off but was anonymous for large spells even when Albion had 11 men. Hooked off on the 28th minute for Taylor Gardner-Hickman as Steve Bruce looked to stem the tide.

Substitutes:

Taylor Gardner-Hickman (on for Grant, 28′) – 3

Jayson Molumby (on for Mowatt, 53′) – 4

Matt Phillips (on for Carroll, 74′) – 5

In other West Brom news, Bruce’s recent comments suggest this player may have a future at The Hawthorns beyond the summer.

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