Marc Albrighton in 4/10 stinker as MOTM scores 8/10 – West Brom player ratings v Cardiff City
Carlos Corberan and his West Brom side travelled to South Wales to face Cardiff City on 15 March for a crucial Wednesday night Championship clash.
The Albion triumphed over Huddersfield Town last time around in a resolute 1-0 display at The Hawthorns and were looking to catapult themselves further into the playoff picture but missed the chance to close the gap on their playoff rivals with a drab 1-1 draw against Cardiff.
Daryl Dike’s first-half goal was cancelled out by Sory Kaba in the 65th minute as the Baggies’ rotten away form continued at the Cardiff City Stadium.
West Brom News rated the players out of 10 below…
Josh Griffiths – 6/10
Nothing he could do for the Cardiff equaliser as he watched the ball trickle agonizingly into the bottom corner from Sory Kaba’s header, but still made some key saves especially well in the second half from Jaden Philogene.
Dara O’Shea – 8/10
A superb defender and a superb servant to the Baggies team after being pictured last week purchasing a retro West Brom shirt in Birmingham. The 24-year-old is a real anchor to the Albion defence and showed yet again tonight registering three clearances, three blocked shots, won two of his two ground duels and three of his six aerial challenges.
Semi Ajayi – 6/10
Given a rare start in Corberan’s much-changed formation but once again proved why he remains an important defender for the team. His presence and frame are frightening for opposition defenders. He’ll be hoping for more opportunities in the coming weeks as the Baggies desperately look to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Eric Pieters – 6/10
Like O’Shea, Pieters has become a guaranteed fixture in the Baggies team and is performing like it every week in a position he’s only just grown accustomed to. Remains a key man for Corberan and Albion. Must keep him fit.
Conor Townsend – 5/10
Not much for Townsend to do in the attacking sense, but kept his nerve defensively as he always does when called upon. A solid and reliable presence at full-back or even at wing-back. If he can properly refine his attacking game, no reason why he can’t become the complete full-back that Corbern desires.
Jayson Molumby – 5/10
A sturdy presence in the middle of the pitch but this wasn’t one of his better games in an Albion shirt.
Okay Yokuslu – 6/10
A leader of men for the Albion, but like Molumby, didn’t pull up any trees when his side needed him most. Still, the reason the Baggies have been so solid in recent games is because of his work in front of the defence and showed again tonight.
Jed Wallace – 7/10
An absolutely spell-binding assist for Dike’s goal and once again proves why he is a guaranteed starter in Carlos Corberan’s starting 11. A terrific creator and an even better industrialist on the football pitch. His energy levels and consistency are tools which the Albion need if they are to get back into the playoff picture permanently.
Had a great chance to win it for the Albion late on but pulled his shot wide.
John Swift – 6/10
Barely had an attacking input in the game before being subbed in the 70th minute considering his stark qualities in the final third. However, still contributed heavily to his defensive work winning four of his eight ground duels. He also completed two of his three dribbles and accurately completed one cross. Not his night against Cardiff but still remains a key figure for Corberan
Marc Albrighton – 4/10
The Foxes man did little apart from an impressive whipped cross in the early stages of the game. Still struggling to impose himself in the Baggies team since his move from Leicester City in January.
Daryl Dike – 7/10
Bagged his third goal in his last five games and his seventh goal of the season. Dike is certainly growing in confidence after his well-deserved call-up to the USA international setup for the March friendlies. The American is certainly showing of late that he holds all the tools to become the Baggies’ main man up front for the long haul. In terrific form right now and long may it continue.
Substitutes:
Adam Reach – 5/10
Brandon Thomas-Asante – 6/10
Tom Rogic – 5/10
Taylor Gardner-Hickman – N/A
Darnell Furlong – N/A
In other West Brom news, the fans are demanding a meeting with the owner as questions about a £5m loan refuse to go away.