Mikey Johnston season could be crippled after West Brom manager news
Mikey Johnston faces the most important period of his West Brom career as the Baggies continue their search for Carlos Corberan’s successor.
Corberan left for Valencia over Christmas which has created an unideal scenario at The Hawthorns – a factor which has spread to some members of the squad including Johnston.
The Irishman – signed permanently from Celtic late in the summer window following last season’s excellent loan stint – had recently begun to enjoy more consistent football under Corberan but is now in the dark over whether the imminent new boss will take to him.
Albion’s squad is blessed with some supreme EFL quality including Tom Fellows, Josh Maja, Karlan Grant and John Swift, while even the likes of Jed Wallace are regularly out of the side.
The coming weeks could be make-or-break for Johnston’s career in the West Midlands.
Mikey Johnston must continue West Brom momentum
A number of established individuals remain in the frame for the top job at West Brom, with Liverpool coach John Heitinga currently leading the bookmakers’ market – swiftly followed by Igor Tudor, Mark Robins and Russell Martin.
Johnston had earlier this season been restricted to sporadic bench appearances, featuring only three times in the Championship before 23 November.
The 25-year-old has however now started seven of the Baggies’ last nine, and been introduced at half-time in one of the remaining two. It looked to all be knitting back together for him, especially with his match-winning brace against Bristol City in Corberan’s final game on 22 December.
It is a clean slate for Johnston when he least wanted it. Other players who have felt deprived of minutes or have been struggling with injury despite obvious talent could view the new chapter as an ideal step in their Albion careers. Grady Diangana is an obvious candidate who could rival Johnston’s position.
In a naturally anxious time for the squad and supporters alike for the eighth-placed Baggies, it remains unpredictable how the starting XI will look in a month’s time as the transfer deadline nears.
In other West Brom news, odds have been revealed on big names such as John Terry and Steven Gerrard to take over at The Hawthorns.
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