Karlan Grant terrible, 8/10 ace superb – West Brom player ratings v Sheffield Wednesday
West Brom secured a crucial three points at The Hawthorns as Adam Armstrong marked his debut with a goal against Sheffield Wednesday.
Having secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Portsmouth in his first game back in The Hawthorns dugout, Tony Mowbray was looking to make it two from two against Danny Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday.
The Baggies made a surprising host of changes, with Tom Fellows and Mikey Johnston benched, while Mason Holgate missed out with illness, with the substitutions ultimately changing the game in a dramatic 2-1 win (8 February).
West Brom News rates the performance of each Baggies star out of 10.
West Brom player ratings v Sheffield Wednesday
Joe Wildsmith – 6
Made an outstanding save in the final minutes of the first half after spending the majority of that time as a spectator.
Darnell Furlong – 5
As he always does, Furlong got up and down the pitch well and was usually strong in his defensive battles. Fell off as the game went on and ultimately ended up proving costly with his inability to defend from the wide areas.
Kyle Bartley – 6
Solid enough return to the Baggies side for Bartley. Showed composure on the ball but was rarely troubled with the visitors directing most of their attacks out wide.
Torbjorn Heggem – 7
Improved on his showing against Plymouth. Dominant in the air and calm and collected for the large part when in possession. Similar to Bartley in the sense that he wasn’t troubled much in the game.
Callum Styles – 5
Was very loose on the ball and fell victim to going it away far too often under little pressure. Struggled to cope with the attacking quality Wednesday had out wide
Jayson Molumby – 8
Molumby was a key figure in the midfield for West Brom. His passing was on point throughout the clash and his experience aided him in plenty of scenarios. Scored the winning goal at the death with a fine finish.
Alex Mowatt – 8 (for Diakite 80′)
Like Molumby, Mowatt played an integral role in the centre of the park for the Baggies. Saw plenty of the ball and utilised it well, but a lack of creativity in front of him was evident.
West Brom lack creativity v Sheffield Wednesday
Grady Diangana – 5 (for Fellows 67′)
Looked threatening at times without offering an awful lot of creativity. Once again was far too easily disposed and weak in his duels. His better performances tend to come centrally and it seems to have been a mistake dropping Fellows in favour of playing him out wide.
Isaac Price – 7 (for Lankshear 67)
Created a number of chances throughout the game and was neat and tidy in possession for the large part. Could have done more in his duels, but certainly offered more quality to the game than anything else.
Karlan Grant – 4 (for Johnston 67′)
Spurned an excellent chance in the first 20 minutes, just lashing the ball high and wide from inside the penalty area. Struggled to have any real impact from the wide area, showcasing the need to play him centrally when he does feature.
Adam Armstrong – 7 (for Wallace 80′)
A little bit sloppy when in possession but had very little influence on the game as a result of the lack of creativity around him. Took his goal very, very well showcasing exactly why Mowbray brought him to The Hawthorns.
Substitutions
Will Lankshear – 6 (for Price 67′)
Offered a different style of attacking outlet when coming on.
Tom Fellows – 7 (for Diangana 67′)
Immediately changed the game when coming on, getting the assist for Armstrong’s goal. His directness was missing until his introduction.
Mikey Johnston – N/A (for Grant (67′)
Jed Wallace – N/A (for Armstrong 80′)
Ousmane Diakite – N/A (for Mowatt 80′)