Journalist wowed by Brandon Thomas-Asante after what he did in 2-1 loss v Southampton
Lewis Cox has praised West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante after his performance in their 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday (11 November).
West Brom saw their four-game unbeaten run come to an unfortunate end as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s – a result which meant West Brom dropped out of the top six and saw their opponents go four points clear of them into playoff places.
The Express & Star journalist, writing in his article (13 November) was left stunned by the former Salford City man’s link-up play, and intelligence throughout the game and argued he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
He wrote: “Brandon Thomas-Asante is a fascinating player. He was excellent on Saturday when it came to everything other than finding the net.
“His hold-up play, link play, intelligence, almost the lot was very good. And that in itself is encouraging because that’s what the former Salford man built his Albion reputation on – a top-link striker. And we haven’t seen that for a while, certainly on a consistent level.
“But he didn’t find the net despite some openings. A major chance on the stroke of half-time was deflected just wide, we’ll never know if it was heading in. But it was the moment on the hour mark where the forward failed to shoot first-time from a Darnell Furlong cross that was telling.
“The delivery looked perfect to help goalward. Thomas-Asante was then crowded out. He did, at least, send a header off the crossbar for Kyle Bartley’s equaliser.”
Everything but score
The 24-year-old certainly hasn’t enjoyed the best of form, scoring just three goals from his 14 Championship appearances so far this campaign (WhoScored) – and before his last strike in the 2-0 win over Coventry City on 30 October, his last goal came in the 4-2 win over Middlesbrough at the end of August.
Thomas-Asante certainly has the ability to be a West Brom regular, possessing great pace and technical acumen to trouble defences as he showed against the Sky Blues.
It seems as though right now, he is doing everything Corberan needs in a striker but scoring those consistent goals that elude him so much in his Baggies career.
The former Salford City man certainly possesses all the necessary attributes to become the striker he knows he can become but he needs to find the back of the net with great regularity if he is to match it with some of the Championship’s best strikers.
West Brom still have Daryl Dike and Josh Maja to come back into action within the next few weeks but it remains to be seen whether Thomas-Asante has done enough to claim a permanent spot when those two get back to full fitness.
The ball is certainly in his court.
In other West Brom news, a football expert has been left stunned after behind-the-scenes news has emerged at Hawthorns over the past few months.