Andy Hinchcliffe slams Cedric Kipre for what he did in first half of West Brom vs Leeds United clash
Andy Hinchcliffe slammed some “poor” defending from Cedric Kipre in the first half of the Championship clash between West Brom and Leeds United.
The usually reliable Albion centre-back saw his pass intercepted as Leeds mounted a dangerous counter-attack, albeit one that did not end with Alex Palmer being tested.
Kipre was not alone in struggling in that particular phase of play, as a number of his team-mates backed off Leeds’ players and let them enter the penalty area.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event [29 December, 8:42pm], Hinchcliffe said: “It’s a poor pass initially from Kipre. They’re all over the place, just backpedalling.
“They cannot afford to do that against a high-pressing team. They’re lucky to escape.”
Heavily involved
Kipre did not cover himself in glory during this 20-second period in which possession was given away and Albion’s players could not get their foot on the ball.
However, the 27-year-old otherwise looked solid in the opening 45 minutes against Leeds – as has been the case for the vast majority of this campaign.
Indeed, Kipre went very close to scoring at the other end as his effort was cleared off the line by Djed Spence.
Kipre was also involved in a Leeds penalty appeal, so it was an action-packed first half at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies did ultimately stand firm at the back by keeping a clean sheet heading into half-time, with Grady Diangana’s strike shortly before the interval giving them the lead.
As he has so often done this season, Kipre clearly did not let the error prey too heavily on his mind.
In other West Brom news, Carlos Corberan made a big selection call for the showdown with Leeds.