Brandon Thomas-Asante fails West Brom main striker audition v Watford, Carlos Corberan holds key decision to make
West Brom’s firepower up-front continues to be a major problem in their promotion push and Brandon Thomas-Asante failed to impress against Watford.
The Baggies have now gone three games without a win hampering their chances of a playoff push after being beaten by former boss Slaven Billic in a thrilling contest against Watford.
Albion twice levelled after falling behind but were eventually beaten by a Ken Sema shot that deflected in off Erik Pieters, which kept them 10th in the table and four points from a top-six place.
Speaking after the game [via Express & Star] Corberan criticised his side’s first-half performance, especially his attacking players for their lack of creativity and desire when it mattered most.
He said:
“We wasted the first 45 minutes and we didn’t play. We were on the pitch without showing what we have to show.
“We conceded a couple of chances and they scored one goal. It’s true that we didn’t create enough, because we didn’t put in the energy and desire, or commitment, to play the game.”
Indeed, the Spaniard’s attacking talent have failed to deliver when needed in recent weeks, and their goalscoring record in comparison to their top rivals this campaign certainly doesn’t pull up any trees, which is ultimately hampering their chances of sustaining a playoff promotion push.
While top sides in the division boast consistent and potent goalscorers this season, the Baggies simply have not unearthed any of their own so far this campaign.
Daryl Dike, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Karlan Grant all have just 11 goals between them this season, with the Spaniard constantly chopping and changing to find the right solutions.
Dike had been his go-to man of late but the American failed to live up to the billing, which led to the introduction of Thomas-Asante as the starting no.9 over the last two game weeks but the 24-year-old also struggled to deliver.
The former Salford City forward was poor against Watford, only managing 18 touches all game, successfully completing two passes, losing possession eight times and registering two shots off-target when the Baggies needed him most.
Is it time to go two up front? If the Albion are to swiftly reignite their promotion push in the coming weeks, Corberan will urgently need to address and solve his side’s goalscoring frailties.
In other West Brom news, a defender may never feature for the club again after what happened recently and may even leave for free.