Tony Brown reacts to Josh Griffiths performance in West Brom debut v Blackburn
Tony Brown says Josh Griffiths didn’t let his team down as West Brom managed a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Wednesday (15 February) at the Hawthorns.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper made his debut for the Baggies against Rovers as Carlos Corberan decided to drop David Button after his poor performance against Birmingham City.
He was brilliant throughout the game but looked gutted as Ben Brereton Diaz smashed in a late free-kick to rescue a point for the visitors.
“I think he did quite well overall,” said Brown on BBC Radio WM Sport (15 February, 9min46sec onwards).
“He didn’t really have a lot to do, to be honest. I’ll be interested to see the Blackburn goal again.
“I’m not too sure whether it went through the wall. He actually got a touch to it, but he couldn’t get enough on it to get keep it out.
“Overall, he didn’t do anything to let his team down so in that respect, the manager’s decision was okay.”
Frustrating
In the end, it was a disappointing result for the Baggies, and it feels like a two-point dropped.
The game lacked intensity and the Baggies paid the price for failing to control the game towards the end. When substitute Jayson Molumby scored with a 73rd-minute header, it looked like the Baggies will pick up all three points.
However, John Swift brought down Lewis Travis on the edge of the Baggies box, and from the resulting free-kick Brereton Diaz scored from 20 yards out.
Griffiths got a hand to it but he could not keep it out. Albion have been very strong at the back at the Hawthorns, and it was the first goal they conceded in more than 13 hours of football on their home turf.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper was recalled from loan at Portsmouth during the January window. He made his 100th EFL appearance last night and produced a quality save in the third minute to deny Bremerton Diaz.
Albion were undoubtedly the better side of the two, but they will be very disappointed with the result.
In other West Brom news, Albion pulled the plug on a late loan signing on deadline day.