West Brom player ratings v Blackburn – 2/10 horror show, MOTM 7/10
West Brom suffered a setback at The Hawthorns on Wednesday night as Blackburn Rovers took a 2-0 win.
To rub salt in the wounds, a second-half double from Makhtar Gueye – who arguably could have been sent off in the first period for an alleged elbow on Torbjorn Heggem – sealed the three points for a Rovers side missing manager John Eustace.
Tony Mowbray’s men just couldn’t get going, were poor defensively and were denied two goals of their own from Adam Armstrong and Will Lankshear for a foul and offside respectively.
West Brom News rates the performances of each player out of 10 from The Hawthorns.
West Brom player ratings v Blackburn
Joe Wildsmith – 2
Should’ve done a lot better with the Gueye opener and was unconvincingly unsure for the second. Made one save in an uneventful first half then one more in the second, distribution wasn’t great. Pressure is on his shoulders after Alex Palmer set off for the Premier League.
Darnell Furlong – 5
Neat and tidy on the ball, not too much defensive work to carry out but kept things largely secure down his flank without anything too glamorous. Found Dolan difficult at times.
Mason Holgate – 4
Perhaps lucky with a challenge in the first minute of the second half to be waved away, which would as a result count as a great tackle. Lost his aerial duel too easily for the assist for the first Gueye goal, however, and was all over the place for the second.
Torbjorn Heggem – 5
Probably Albion’s stand-out performer in the first half, hit the post with a first-half header which ended up proving pivotal. Was elbowed by Gueye in an incident skipped over by the officials, and the striker ended up scoring twice. The second, he was all at sea along with Holgate.
Callum Styles – 5
Kept Hedges fairly quiet, got forward when he could but still defensively suspect at Championship level. Carries a threat in possession with his technical ability but couldn’t do a lot.
Alex Mowatt (off for Jed Wallace 70′) – 4
The midfield were overrun at times, especially in the second half, and Mowatt was responsible for giving Blackburn possession for the second goal. A high pass accuracy, though none of these were really chance-creators.
Jayson Molumby – 4
Lost most of his duels as Blackburn were stronger in the middle of the park. Did win one decent tackle against Cantwell but the Baggies looked beaten by that point.
Wildsmith does case no good after Palmer exit
Tom Fellows (off for Grady Diangana 56′) – 3
Very little impact, not the usual Fellows we’ve become accustomed to seeing and was shut out by Blackburn all night. Wasn’t able to execute a single cross or dribble. Mowbray will be demanding an improvement at the weekend.
Isaac Price (off for John Swift 70′) – 7
Decent delivery when he got the ball in forward areas, shows a good passing range including the delivery for Lankshear’s disallowed goal. Not too much impact in open play as Blackburn absorbed any pressure, but probably the best of a frustrating bunch – has a bright future.
Mikey Johnston (off for Will Lankshear 56′) – 5
Busier than Fellows and nearly twice as many touches but still no major threat going forward, and allowed Brittain to get crosses in on his flank when he tracked back.
Adam Armstrong – 4
Harshly punished for a push when he found the net. Was otherwise pretty anonymous. Would’ve wanted to make an impact against his former side but other than the disallowed goal was no trouble.
Substitutes
Grady Diangana (on for Tom Fellows 56′) – 5
Came on for the disappointing Fellows but couldn’t really threaten.
Will Lankshear (on for Mikey Johnston 56′) – 6
Was tipped by some to start for West Brom and was unlucky to be denied his first Championship goal by the offside flag, the second suffered by his side in quick succession. Put himself about but couldn’t breach the defence.
John Swift (on for Isaac Price 70′) – 5
Came on and kept it ticking but the game was too far gone.
Jed Wallace (on for Alex Mowatt 70′) – 6
Was eager, tried to make things happen but the whole side just couldn’t build with enough quality.