Carlos Corberan full of praise for ‘brave’ Nathaniel Chalobah after display v Plymouth
Carlos Corberan singled Nathaniel Chalobah out for particular praise following his performance in the 0-0 draw between West Brom and Plymouth on 21 October.
The boss praised his player’s positive reaction after he faced an extended period out of the team recently, but claimed his performance was brave, aggressive and his passing was key to their attacking moves.
Chalobah’s inclusion in the starting lineup came as a surprise, but after the game the Express and Star [21 October] claim he was applauded off by the Baggies faithful who had previously booed him for poor displays.
Speaking to the Express & Star after the game [21 October], Corberan shared: “He’s one player who I didn’t give anything to him – when I gave him minutes, it’s because I understand that he deserves them.
“I saw him training in a different way than he was training before, with a lot of commitment and without frustration – sometimes when you have an expectation to go to a club and play important minutes, mentally it can start to frustrate and it can separate you from your talent.
“What I have seen in Chalobah in the last month, maybe more, was a very positive reaction in the way that players can do when they’re not playing – they have to be focused on the things they can control.
“I saw this from Chalobah. I liked a lot the minutes he played at Birmingham. He was brave, aggressive, he made passes through the lines.”
Stepping up despite the result
Albion fans will be disappointed by another 0-0 draw this season, particularly at home against a newly promoted team in Plymouth, but there were certainly some positives to take from the draw, as Corberan has shared.
Chalobah has been inconsistent of late, and the game perhaps summed up his season. A relatively slow start in which he, alongside most of his teammates it must be said, struggled to impact the game was turned around by an impressive second-half display.
For the boss to single him out for praise will be another boost to his confidence, and likely a much-needed one given his struggles of late, and the hope will now be that he can kick on.
In the absence of John Swift through injury, it is time for the other midfielders at the club to stand up and be counted, and Chalobah proved today he is one that can be relied upon.
In other West Brom news, one journalist was wowed by what Chalobah did v Plymouth.