Corberan has new West Brom headache v Sheff Utd after what he said
Carlos Corberan has a new selection headache for West Brom after Lewis Dobbin’s recently improved form.
The 21-year-old joined the Baggies on loan from Aston Villa this summer but has found game time limited since his arrival with only 14 appearances in his side’s opening 17 games, 13 of which came from the bench.
However, after playing the whole of the second half against Sunderland, Corberan then handed the winger his debut in Saturday in his side’s 1-1 draw with Preston.
Despite a lack of minutes so far due to competition in the squad, Corberan admitted he has been impressed with Dobbin’s progress as he said in quotes reported by the Express and Star (5 December): “Dobbin is still a young player. But what I watched with Dobbin is that he is growing. The amount of minutes he is having right now is increasing. Why? Because I am seeing his level increasing too. In every training I am watching what they are doing, every time they are on the pitch I am watching what they are doing.
“And after, when you make the first XI decision and the bench, you have to understand which type of context the game is, what is the player that his strengths are better for the game we expect? In the games the other day I’ve seen the man-to-man physical contact be important to attack. In this body contact I thought Johnston is not in his best condition and this is not his maximum strength.
“Dobbin helped the team with this body contact, with space in behind, he feels comfortable. So depending on the needs you give more or less minutes. On how the player is using it you give more or less minutes. Now Dobbin has arrived to a time where he is more useful for us than in the beginning because even without minutes he has shown good growing.”
Lewis Dobbin can have an impact at West Brom
It’s been a bit of a slow start for the winger at The Hawthorns so far this season and the 21-year-old will no doubt feel some frustration over his lack of minutes for Corberan’s side up to this point.
However, he has also seen the manager put more faith in him recently and making his first start for the Baggies shows that his role in the team is one that can continue to grow so long as he impresses when he is playing.
It’s not been easy given the high level of competition in a West Brom squad, especially on the flanks, but the Corberan clearly feels that what the youngster is continuing to show in training is reflecting well on the player.
Dobbin is still a young player who doesn’t have much experience in the Championship yet but what is positive is that he seems to be benefiting well from the environment he’s in and if he continues to show his ability to develop, Corberan will be keen to continue making space for him in the squad.
With the Baggies preparing to face Sheffield United this weekend, if the boss puts his faith in the youngster to start, this is a chance to show his quality in what will no doubt be a tough game.
In other Aston Villa news, the fact stunned a Sky Sports host as he offered a Sheffield United result prediction.
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