West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante snubbed by Sky Sports pundit
Sky Sports pundit Simeone Gholam ruled Brandon Thomas-Asante out of contention for the Championship Team of the Season so far, despite the West Brom striker’s impressive start to the campaign.
Thomas-Asante, who was linked with a deadline day move away from The Hawthorns, has either scored or assisted a goal in each of his past four outings in all competitions.
The 24-year-old has two goals and an assist in four league appearances this campaign, meanwhile, in what has been a mixed start for Albion in terms of results.
However, despite leading the way for WhoScored in terms of various combined metrics among Championship strikers, Gholam does not feel Thomas-Asante is a candidate for the Team of the Season to date.
Choosing the best XI with David Prutton, Gholam told Sky Sports [9 September, 15m 5s]: “Our best striker so far ranking wise has been Brandon Thomas-Asante.
“I’m putting in a caveat here and using a bit of creative licence. He scored a goal that shouldn’t have been a goal…”
Added incentive
The goal Gholam is referring to is the one in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United on 18 August, when Jayson Molumby’s shot deflected in off the striker’s arm.
Ultimately, though, a slice of fortune or not, the goal stood.
Thomas-Asante also showed another side to his game when he had the presence of mind to pick out John Swift for Albion’s goal in their 2-1 loss to Huddersfield Town prior to the international break.
The former Salford City striker may not be the biggest name in the division, but in a team based largely on statistics, it seems harsh to rule him out of the side on the basis of one of his goals being lucky.
As it is, Preston North End striker Will Keane got the nod alongside Morgan Whittaker and Nathan Broadhead in the front three.
If Thomas-Asante needed any added incentive to pick up from where he left off when club action resumes, let this be it.
In other West Brom news, pundit Adam Virgo has heaped praise on an Albion player.