West Brom player ratings v Millwall: 3/10 Josh Maja shocking in goalless draw
West Brom made it three straight games without a win with a 0-0 draw against Millwall at The Hawthorns on Saturday (5 October).
Carlos Corberan made four changes to his starting XI following the Baggies’ 1-0 home loss to Middlesbrough on 1 October, and though all four impressed in a lively first-half showing, Albion couldn’t break the deadlock and saw Josh Maja spurn their best chance from barely six yards out.
The frustration in front of goal continued for Albion in the second period, with only Maja able to fire off a shot on target and Alex Palmer being the busier of the two goalkeepers, and despite late pressure, Corberan’s side were held scoreless for the second match in a row.
West Brom News rates the performance of each player out of 10.
Alex Palmer – 6
Did well to get down and push an awkward, dipping shot from distance behind for a corner in Albion’s only nervous moment at the back in the first half, and then stayed calm to collect two towering headers midway through the second period.
Darnell Furlong – 5
Wayward shot on the half-volley turned into a cross for Maja, whose effort was blocked. Furlong himself saw a left-footed strike also blocked after good work from Johnston. Forced into a defensive intervention early in the second-half following a Millwall cross to the far post, and didn’t have much luck going forward either.
Kyle Bartley – 5
Pulled out of position after a header forward to almost expose the Baggies in their own third, but managed to recover. Later found himself 25 yards from goal and curled a strike goalwards, which was saved. Got himself into a great position to get on the end of Mowatt’s free-kick, but overran it and headed backwards instead!
Semi Ajayi – 4
A glorious throughball forward to release Fellows in behind, only for Maja to miss from right in front. Took the ball forward a stretch too far and was then booked for fouling Romain Esse on the turnaround, as well as conceding a late free-kick right on the edge of his own box.
Torbjorn Heggem – 6
Quiet in the first half but pushed much further up the pitch in the second, seeing a byline cross take a deflection into Jensen’s gloves, before combining with Johnston to make a great run in behind and win the Baggies a corner. Popped up on the edge of the box to send a half-volley goalwards, but his ambitious strike was blocked.
Jayson Molumby (off for Uros Racic, 75′) – 4
Given licence to drive forward by Mowatt dropping deep, but a wayward lay-off quelled a half-chance for Furlong. Did brilliantly to turn possession over in his own third, but his pass out of defence was then cut out and little else one tMolumby’s way before he was withdrawn.
Josh Maja misfires for West Brom v Millwall
Alex Mowatt – 5
Pulled the strings from midfield as ever, being the base of many an Albion attack. Whipped a pinpoint ball into the box from a free-kick but Bartley and Diangana couldn’t capitalise. A smart turn and one-two in midfield led to a yellow-card worthy free-kick against Milwall’s Honeyman.
Tom Fellows (off for John Swift, 81′) – 5
Swarmed by packs of Millwall defenders whenever he got the ball, but still got free to win an early corner after a cross, and another ball into the middle for Maja was skied by the striker. Picked out Johnston at the far post with a great ball, but the Irishman’s effort was blocked. Switched to the left flank in the second period, but to little avail before being taken off.
Grady Diangana (off for Jed Wallace, 90′) – 7
Previously a doubt to even make the bench, Diangana was named in the starting XI by Corberan and instantly made darting runs into the box. Some great, mazy running in and around the box during the second half, and had a chance to play Fellows through but could only find a defender. Continued to cause Millwall problems, and was clattered from behind by Ryan Leonard.
Mikey Johnston (off for Lewis Dobbin, 75′) – 5
A first start of the season for Albion’s new permanent; Johnston was dangerous early on, leaving his marker down on the deck with some quick feet before a byline cross. A far-post shot from Fellows’ cross was blocked, and Johnston continued to test the defence with dangerous balls into the middle. Dragged down Esse to prevent a counter-attack and was shown a yellow card in the second half.
Josh Maja (off for Karlan Grant, 90′) – 3
Latched onto a cutback from Fellows in the middle, but could somehow only fire over the bar from six yards out. Looked to make up for his miss with a curling strike from distance, which was held, and was given another sight of goal in the second period, only to see his effort across the face of goal saved by Jensen again. Had to be better as Albion’s leading man up front
Substitutions:
Uros Racic (on for Jayson Molumby, 75′) – 5 – Fantastic ball in from the right should have been turned home by either Dobbin or Heggem.
Lewis Dobbin (on for Mikey Johnson, 75′) – 6 – Great feet took him into the box at speed, but his cutback was cleared away from danger. Then got onto the end of a Racic cross, but mis-cued his attempted volley goalwards.
John Swift (on for Tom Fellows, 81′) – 4 – Had a chance to spark a scramble in Millwall’s box with a late free-kick, but his cross was headed clear.
Karlan Grant (on for Josh Maja, 90′) – 5 – Cut inside to shoot goalwards with Albion’s last chance, but could only drag a low strike into Jensen’s gloves.
Jed Wallace (on for Grady Diangana, 90′) – N/A
In other West Brom news, one Albion star was on the end of some brutal criticism after his performance against Middlesbrough.
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