Kyle Bartley ‘completely to blame’ as West Brom suffer crushing new blow
West Brom fans are bound to be fuming with Kyle Bartley as a fresh injury setback emerges from The Hawthorns.
The 33-year-old has come under fire for the Baggies this season after a string of below-par performances, mainly under Carlos Corberan.
The Englishman’s biggest low of the campaign came against Sheffield Wednesday, when the centre-back was sent off after the full-time whistle in B71.
After winning the game in the final moments through Jayson Molumby, tempers flared, which resulted in the Albion defender elbowing Svante Ingelsson in the face.
It is this moment which could yet go on to cost Tony Mowbray’s side in their hunt for a playoff finish.
Semi Ajayi suffers fresh injury setback at West Brom
The former Swansea City man is yet to make a single appearance since that moment, forcing other defenders to pick up the slack.
Unfortunately for the Baggies, this has forced Mowbray into utilising Ajayi quicker than he might have wanted to during his recovery.
The Nigerian suffered an injury against Cardiff City in October and spent over three months on the sidelines before returning against Millwall on 15 February.
Just 12 days later, Albion have released an official statement which has revealed that the 31-year-old will miss several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury.
The ex-Rotherham man was forced off in the 41st minute of the 2-0 win against Oxford United on Saturday (22 February).
Now the defender is entering a period of rehabilitation with a target set to return before the end of the campaign, but given his recent issues with injury, there is no guarantee of this happening.
Part of the blame for this injury relapse has to be placed on the doorstep of Bartley, who has only let himself and the West Midlands outfit down with his actions.
Bartley to blame for latest Ajayi injury issue
Considering the ex-Leeds man is supposed to be the vice captain of the Baggies, he has truly failed to lead by example in this case.
His actions against the Owls were completely uncalled for regardless of the situation he found himself in.
Even with all the emotion surrounding the late win, goalscorer Molumby was able to walk away and celebrate with The Hawthorns faithful rather than getting involved.
| Date | Kyle Bartley missed games |
| 12/02/25 | Blackburn Rovers (H) |
| 15/02/25 | Millwall (A) |
| 22/02/25 | Oxford United (H) |
As result, Bartley has missed the last three fixtures and may have cost his centre-back counterpart, who is likely to miss the remainder of the campaign.
It will be interesting to see how Mowbray deals with the defender upon his return, but it is safe to say that he is somewhat unpopular on the terraces right now.