Don Goodman shares ‘big question mark’ over Josh Maja at West Brom
Don Goodman has been impressed by what he has seen from Josh Maja so far this season, but says his ability to stay fit remains a “big question mark” for West Brom.
Maja has started all six Championship matches for Albion this season and leads the division’s scoring charts with six goals to his name.
The 25-year-old has struggled with injury issues throughout his career, including last season when restricted to just 12 – mainly substitute – appearances for the Baggies.
Goodman believes Maja is good enough to lead the line for a side targeting promotion to the Premier League, but it is down to whether he can now remain fit.
“I think we’ve seen in the opening games he’s more than capable of leading the line regularly,” Goodman told West Brom News. “
“Josh had a good summer, looks fit, got off to the perfect start with his hat-trick at Queens Park Rangers and hasn’t looked back.
“But the big question mark over Josh is whether he can stay fit, as it was with Daryl Dike, who’s the unluckiest man in football if you ask me.”
Josh Maja key to West Brom promotion hopes
Losing Brandon Thomas-Asante in the summer transfer window was a massive blow, yet it may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Maja has been exceptional so far this season, netting a hat-trick against QPR on the opening weekend and following that up with goals against Stoke City, Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle.
The Nigeria international is netting at a rate of 1.12 goals per 90 minutes [BBC Sport], which it goes without saying is a brilliant return.
Sustaining that over the course of the entire campaign will be difficult, but there is no reason why Maja cannot break the 20-goal mark.
Carlos Corberan will have to be careful with his management of Maja, knowing that any long-term injury lay-off will massively derail the Baggies’ promotion bid.
Should he stay fit, though, this could be a special season for both the striker and West Brom.
In other West Brom news, Goodman has questioned Tom Fellows’ valuation at The Hawthorns.
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