Brandon Thomas-Asante slammed for West Brom incident v Southampton, Alex Mowatt wasn’t happy
West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante has been torn into by Ray Houghton for an “audacious’ moment in the first half of the Baggies’ playoff clash with Southampton.
Carlos Corberan’s side headed into the break at The Hawthorns on Sunday (12 May) level at 0-0 as they put Russell Martin’s Saints under plenty of early pressure, but were unable to convert a string of excellent chances.
The Baggies could have quite easily been a couple of goals ahead at the break and both talkSPORT pundit Houghton and Albion’s Alex Mowatt were left frustrated by Thomas-Asante’s decision to shoot rather than pass to the free midfielder.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Sunday (12 May, 14:25) he said: “Thomas-Asante, why didn’t he pass it? Mowatt had made a great run from the centre of midfield and he was in all sorts of room over on the right-hand side.
“It was a simple pass to try and pick him out and he could have got an attempt on goal. He went for the more audacious strike with defenders in front of him and it took a deflection and the chance had gone.
“Mowatt is still having a word with Thomas-Asante, he’s not happy he didn’t pick him out.”
Will West Brom and Carlos Corberan win promotion to the Premier League?
While Thomas-Asante has been a reliable presence for the Baggies for much of the season, he isn’t the perfect striker and he has shown throughout his time at The Hawthorns he isn’t the most composed in the final third.
Mowatt couldn’t have been in any more space but the former Salford forward never once looked up to see where his teammate was and instead just lashed at the ball when it was completely necessary.
The Baggies’ defence is as good as any other sides’ in the playoffs, but they do lack the class in the final third that the likes of Leeds United and Southampton possess. That will have to change if they want to book their place in the Premier League.
Hopefully, Thomas-Asante will show a bit more composure if or when another similar chance falls to him in the second half. With no sign of Josh Maja in the matchday squad, Albion need him to step up and perform in those crucial moments.
In other West Brom news, Karlan Grant sent a new message to the Baggies ahead of their playoff campaign
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