Carlos Corberan will be expecting more attacking inspiration from Marc Albrighton at half-time for West Brom v Blackburn Rovers
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan will be expecting more attacking quality from his January signing Marc Albrighton after another uninspired performance from on-loan Leicester City star at half-time against Blackburn Rovers.
The Baggies were on top from the off at the Hawthorns, with Corberan’s men grabbing the initiative on what is a must-win game as they look to kick-start their playoff charge.
Jed Wallace had a huge chance on 15 minutes when he skied a shot over the bar after good link-up play in the Blackburn penalty area.
Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears was forced into a point-blank save to keep out a Darnell Furlong header from a corner. From another corner, Albion midfielder Okay Yokuslu had an effort deflected wide.
Brandon Thomas-Asante on his return to the Baggies XI looked sharp, but Corberan will be concerned and disappointed by the form of his more experienced head and January addition Marc Albrighton who has so struggled to provide any attacking spark since his move from Leicester City.
The Foxes Premier League winner was dreadful against Birmingham City last time out, and again was guilty of a lifeless first-half performance against promotion rivals Blackburn on a night where Corberan is hugely expecting his attacking stars to deliver.
Albrighton picked up a yellow card and only completed seven passes, lost possession of the seven times and failed to muster up any real chances for his teammates, on a night when the Baggies desperately need some attacking quality to topple their playoff rivals.
With the likes of Grady Diangana and Daryl Dike waiting on the bench to make some sort of impression, the onus is on Albrighton to step up his game if he is to be relied upon again in the coming weeks. So far, the decision to bring him in is proving an unfortunate failure.
Will Corberan ring the changes for the second half or will he provide his January addition with another opportunity to prove himself?
In other West Brom news, Albion pulled the plug on a late loan signing on deadline day.