Don Goodman blown away by Karlan Grant in West Brom draw v Oxford United
Don Goodman hailed Karlan Grant after his opening goal upon his recall to the West Brom starting XI in the 1-1 draw at Oxford United.
Grant’s low drive gave Albion the advantage in the first half of Saturday’s early-kick off [19 October] at the Kassam Stadium, after he was brought back into the side by Carlos Corberan.
The forward was dropped for last weekend’s goalless draw with Millwall [5 October], but justified his place with the goal.
Former Hawthorns ace Goodman, co-commentating live on Sky Sports Football [19 October, 13:01], said: “They’re spending more time in the Oxford half of the pitch and they work it really well, West Brom.
“There’s a couple of appeals for fouls not given but then [Grant] just drifts in off the line in acres of space, and he’s spotted. [Uros] Racic’s vision picks him out, lovely little outside-of-the-foot pass.
“And he really only had one thing on his mind. Get the ball out of his feet and take the strike. It’s low, it’s hard, it’s accurate, no chance for [Jamie] Cumming – and a super opener from Karlan Grant.”
Karlan Grant with point to prove for West Brom v Oxford
Grant is a seasoned performer at Championship level these days, and that reliable experience of the level – sprinkled with the youthful magic of Tom Fellows et al – has been a winning formula for West Brom.
Carlos Corberan is blessed with superb pedigree throughout his Albion squad, even after having lost a fair chunk of it as a result of missing out on promotion last term.
Operating primarily as a left-winger after his previous exploits as a central striker, the versatile Grant has found a new way to cause damage in the Baggies side and is pushed to perform at his best by the purchase of Mikey Johnston late in the summer window.
Johnston was chosen in favour of Grant against Millwall last time out, but the Lions unexpectedly ground out a clean sheet and blunted Corberan’s attack at The Hawthorns.
This was the day Grant in particular needed to convince his head coach he should be the mainstay on the left flank moving forward, and he has delivered.
In other West Brom news, Corberan shares an update on his future.
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