Brandon Thomas-Asante must be dragged off with 4/10, Cedri Kipre shines with 8/10 – West Brom half-time ratings v Swansea City
It was an uneventful first half for West Brom as they looked to record their third successive Championship win on New Year’s Day against Swansea City.
The Albion were looking to build on from their impressive win over playoff rivals Leeds United on Friday (29 December) and strengthen their position in the playoff places when they travelled to Wales.
Brandon Thomas-Asante had the only clear-cut chance in the first half but completely wasted the opportunity, shooting straight at the goalkeeper after being put through by Tom Fellows.
And West Brom News has rated the players at half-time out of 10 below, with stats from SofaScore…
Alex Palmer – 6
Fairly comfortable and barely had a save to make all half but that won’t deter him one bit. Palmer is always on guard when West Brom need him.
Darnell Furlong – 6
A hugely reliable performer for Carlos Corberan and it showed once again in the first half as he barely allowed the Swansea attack a sniff. Needs to do much better in possession, losing it 12 times already.
Cedric Kipre – 9
Growing with every game in a West Brom shirt and his performance against Leeds United was outstanding. Looking assured and dominant at the back again but showcased his qualities in ball progression when he mastered a sublime through pass for the onrushing Conor Townsend who saw his shot saved. Any chance of that contract extension, Albion?
Kyle Bartley – 7
Solid as always and you can always rely on his partnership with Kipre. Won 100 per cent of his ground duels, completed 86 per cent of his passes and registered the usual interception and clearances already.
Conor Townsend – 6
Ran on to a superb through pass from Kipre early on and saw his testing and rasping shot saved by the Swansea goalkeeper. Solid throughout the first half,
Okay Yokuslu – 7
Kept things ticking over in midfield with some sharp passing and sharp turns. It’s a shame his attacking teammates were wasteful in front of goal. Excellent showing so far.
Alex Mowatt – 6
Has looked particularly assured and mistake-free with his passing in recent weeks but in the first half against Swansea, it was a totally different story, completing just over 80 per cent of his passes and failing 100 per cent of his dribble attempts. Must step it up second half.
Jayson Molumby – 5
Had a chance to make it 1-0 after a Thomas-Asante cross after the hour mark but couldn’t direct his header goalwards. Given a strange start ahead of John Swift but has looked uneventful apart from his half-chance.
Tom Fellows – 6
Given an opportunity to make an impression by Corberan in place of Jed Wallace and without any real cutting-edge in attack, certainly contributed defensively, winning 100 per cent of his duels. Assisted a huge chance for Thomas-Asante who could hit it straight at the keeper.
Things may not come off for him in attack but his work rate and work ethic will impress his manager and fans. Keep going.
Grady Diangana – 5
Had an impressive moment when he looked to have gotten West Brom in a dangerous counter-attacking scenario after some tremendous dribbling but was taken out by an illegal challenge. However, that was about it in his last full game before he goes off to AFCON.
Brandon Thomas-Asante – 4
Completely anonymous and rarely given a sniff all half by Swansea or even his own teammates. Tried to stretch the Swansea defence with his channel running or pressing from the front but nothing came off. Created a chance for Molumby but missed a huge chance after being put through brilliantly by Fellows. Should have scored. Wasteful.
He must be dragged off but who does Carlos Corberan replace him with? Squad looks thread-bare.
In other West Brom news, two senior players could be set for an exit from The Hawthorns in January, one other youth product attracting plenty of interest already.