Sam Stone

Thu 6 October 2022 7:40, UK

The pressure continues to mount for Steve Bruce as West Brom fell to a disappointing defeat to Preston North End at Deepdale on Wednesday evening.

Emil Riis’ seventh-minute strike was enough for the home side to seal all three points and plunge the Baggies into the relegation zone.

The defeat means Bruce’s side are now with just one win from their opening 12 Championship matches and here West Brom News has rated the players out of ten for their performances at Deepdale.

Alex Palmer – 5

Good display on his return to the side and made an excellent stop in the opening moments. Could do nothing about Preston’s opening goal.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman – 4

The youngster didn’t put in one of his best performances and was caught on the ball a couple of times in the second half. Didn’t support Wallace enough.

Dara O’Shea – 5

Little he could’ve done about Emil Riis’ first-half goal, with the quality cross into the box hard to defend. However, West Brom’s defence

Martin Kelly – 6

Probably the pick of the West Brom defence. Produced a superb last-ditch tackle to prevent Riis from doubling Preston’s lead in the second half.

Conor Townsend – 3

Sloppy display from the Baggies full-back who gave the ball away far too often and was caught out of position regularly. One to forget.

Okay Yokuslu – 4

Poor night from the usually classy operator. Gave the ball away on numerous occasions. Yokuslu struggled to get up to the speed of the game. Not the best fixture for a player of his ilk. Made the wrong decisions which is uncharacteristic.

Jayson Molumby – 2

Was heavily responsible for losing the ball in the build-up to Preston’s first-half goal. The Baggies midfield was bypassed at times and Molumby Yokuslu weren’t competitive enough. Passenger and offered very little. Considering the number of balls the Baggies got into the box, he needed to gamble a lot more in an attacking sense. Deserved to be hauled off.

John Swift – 4

Considering he is in the side to make things happen offensively Swift was far too negative at times. He opted to take the easy option far too often. Expected a lot more.

Grady Diangana – 8 (Man of the match)

Had a number of really bright moments, particularly in the first half, with his pace and directness too. Was a one-man team at times with a number of his teammates letting him down. Was extremely unlucky not to be given a second-half penalty when was hauled down in the box. Unplayable for spells of the night.

Karlan Grant – 5

The Baggies got the ball into the Preston box on numerous occasions but failed to really trouble the central defenders. Missed a guilt edge chance in the second half. He’s in the team to put those chances away. Rightfully substituted in closing stages.

Jed Wallace – 6

Feel for Wallace who is always trying to make things happen for the Baggies. Sometimes his teammates aren’t on the same wavelength as the former Millwall man. Always looks to cut the ball back when whipping the ball in front of the back four could be the better option.

Substitutes

Tom Rogic (on for Molumby, 57′) – 5

Jake Livermore (on for Yokuslu, 57′) – 4

Brandon Thomas-Asante (on for Grant, 70′) – 5

Matt Philips (on for Swift, 73′) – 5

In other West Brom news, a finance expert says Albion have cleared debts with new documents emerging on Companies House.