Paddy McNair worst of bad bunch in Carabao Cup exit – West Brom player ratings v Fleetwood
West Brom crashed out of the EFL Cup with an embarrassing first-round defeat to League Two side Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday (13 August).
New signing Devante Cole squeezed a good ball through for Modou Faal to slide in and net the opener from close range on his return to the side, but the celebrations in the away end had hardly died down before Ryan Graydon struck on the break to equalise.
The Baggies were caught short at the back once again as Fleetwood broke at pace, Ronan Coughlan slotting past Joe Wildsmith to make it 2-1 to the hosts going into half-time.
Corberan’s side had nearly all of the ball in the second half as they pressed for an equalising goal, but despite several of their youthful substitutes making big impressions off the bench, the score would remain the same as Albion exited the Carabao Cup.
West Brom News rates the performance of each player out of 10.
Joe Wildsmith – 4
Quiet in the early stages until Fleetwood began to unlock Albion on the counter-attack, but could do little about either of their quick-fire first-half goals following counter-attacks. Called into action as Fleetwood crowded the box with second half set-pieces, punching several crosses clear.
Reece Hall – 4
Was very lively up and down the right flank, until a woeful pass straight to Fleetwood set in motion their fast break for the equaliser. Hall didn’t get forward as much after that, but should have won a penalty on the biggest occasion he did – being felled from behind in the box to no avail.
Caleb Taylor – 4
Captaining the side for the very first time, Taylor was in the right place to block a Fleetwood shot off the line just after Albion went 1-0 up. However, with the scores at 1-1, he was left tackling thin air and beaten far too easily as Fleetwood broke to net their second. A memorable night for the Albion academy product, but not entirely for the right reasons.
Paddy McNair (Replaced by Deago Nelson, 61′) – 3
Looked to carry the ball forward when given room, but couldn’t keep pace with Fleetwood on the break for either of their two first-half goals. Looked like being caught short again in the second half and was taken off just after the hour.
Gianluca Frabotta (Replaced by Cole Deeming, 62′) – 5
The new signing from Juventus produced some good link-up play with Dobbin on the left-hand side and put in several dangerous crosses, one of which was headed wide by Cole. He also tried some long-range shots, which were blocked, being keen to get forward at every opportunity. His frustrations increased in the second half with the Baggies 2-1 down, being booked after conceding a free-kick on the edge of the box, and the Italian was taken off 10 minutes later.
Ousmane Diakite – 4
New midfielder Diakite was very effective at breaking up play in midfield early on, and not shy to spray wide passes to the wings in an effort to open Fleetwood up. With Whitwell and Heard often overrun ahead of him though, he was given all the defensive responsibility. Fired a half-volley well wide on the hour mark. Helped Albion to control the tempo in the second half, but could do nothing to help them find an equaliser with a late header plucked out of the air by Fleetwood’s goalkeeper.
Do West Brom have enough depth in defence and midfield?
Harry Whitwell – 4
Had a fairly passive first half with Albion frequently being swamped in midfield, but did have one noteworthy run forward, resulting in Cole heading Frabotta’s cross wide. Much more involved in the second period, turning two defenders and riding challenges to release Faal before being fouled on the edge of the box. Had a chance to level it up having cut inside another attempted tackle, but his shot was blocked.
Lewis Dobbin (Replaced by Eseosa Sule, 72′) – 5
Being one of the Baggies’ main attacking outlets, Dobbin was often crowded out on the left-hand side but still combined well with Frabotta and was increasingly dangerous cutting in from the left. Lost the ball on the edge of the box in the passage of play which led to Fleetwood’s second goal. The Aston Villa loanee went toe-to-toe with the defence in the second half with a bursting run into the box, but the tussle led to a free-kick going the hosts’ way rather than an Albion penalty in his last meaningful action.
Fenton Heard – 4
Buzzed around midfield with purpose but somewhat hampered by his small frame. Ambitious rebound effort from a corner was easily saved, but in the second half he laid the ball on a plate for Cole to fire straight at the goalkeeper. Sprung forward with a late run to spark an Albion counter-attack, but his wide pass being cut out and smashed clear by Fleetwood summed up their evening.
Devante Cole (Replaced by Reyes Cleary, 72′) – 6
A cross inside the opening 60 seconds was hooked off the line after Cole got in behind the Fleetwood defence, and he was often dropping deep and wide to link up play. Released Faal through on goal for the youngster’s well-taken opener, but then headed wide while off-balance from close range. With Albion 2-1 down, Cole was teed up to level the scores, but could only send it straight at Fleetwood goalkeeper before being withdrawn.
Modou Faal – 6
Slid in with perfect timing to slot home Albion’s opener mid-way through the first half, and lead the line very well despite the chaos going on behind him. Fired goalwards with a first-time strike right on half-time, but curled it wide of the target. Faal had fewer sights of goal in the second half, skewing a last-gasp half-volley and header respectively wide of the left-hand post.
Substitutions:
Deago Nelson (On for Paddy McNair, 61′) – 5 – Tried to be an active part of the attacking momentum Albion were building, but didn’t have much success down the right. Slid in wildly as Fleetwood threatened to break once more, and was shown a swift yellow card for the reckless challenge.
Cole Deeming (On for Gianluca Frabotta, 62′) – 5 – Showed maturity to claim a free-kick won by Whitwell right on the edge of the box, but could only fire it into the wall.
Reyes Cleary (On for Devante Cole, 72′) – 6 – Swung in two inch-perfect crosses from the left for fellow youngster Sule in as many minutes, particularly the second, but neither were converted as the chances went begging.
Eseosa Sule (On for Lewis Dobbin, 72′) – 6 – Put through on goal by Faal just moments after coming on, but outside-of-the-foot shot was well wide of the near post. Headed a cross-field ball from Cleary wide of the far post minutes later, and couldn’t get on the end of another whipped-in cross which would surely have resulted in an equaliser for the impressive debutant.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have engaged in talks to sign a highly-rated midfielder on loan from Serie A.
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