Carlos Corberan shares Josh Griffiths decision, shares Tottenham verdict
Carlos Corberan has revealed Josh Griffiths will remain in goal for West Brom in their upcoming Championship fixtures.
The 21-year-old made his debut against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday and potentially could have done better with Ben Brereton Diaz’s late equaliser.
Despite the error, Albion’s boss is set to stick by the England under-21 international, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Portsmouth.
“I think he’s someone with a lot of personality, he was playing in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the FA Cup with his previous loan,” said Corberan (Birmingham Live, 17 February).
“I didn’t see any pressure at all, that’s why I was saying to play with him, because he has the maturity of someone aged 27 or 28 years old, not being 21, but after we need to work with him to make him, like everyone, like myself.
“He will be playing the next games and he will be using these games to keep growing. The first one can be the most challenging one – or not because every game is a challenge.”
Big call
Dropping David Button was a big call from the West Brom boss and it’s one he has to stick by. Chopping and changing in goal can often cause more harm than good and Griffiths now has a golden chance to stake a claim for the number one spot.
For younger goalkeepers, experience is absolutely vital and the 21-year-old has bundles of it considering his tender age. The loan spell on the South Coast was certainly an eye-opener and will stand him in good stead moving forward. Fratton Park can be an unforgiving place when things aren’t going well and the youngster certainly learnt how to face staunch criticism at times.
Griffiths now must add a little bit more consistency to his performances. He has an error in him and it’s absolutely vital for goalkeepers to show up in vital moments. He will improve and he simply has to for the Championship trip to Watford at the weekend.
The playoff race is now looking as crowded as ever as the Baggies look to book their place inside the top six. A consistent run of winning form is certainly required between now and the end of the campaign.
In other West Brom news, Albion pulled the plug on a late loan signing on deadline day.