West Brom fans love Bostock footage after first Mason win – ‘Starboy’

West Brom have won their first friendly of pre-season under new head coach Ryan Mason.

Excitement has been building for the start of a new era under the former Tottenham coach, who Baggies fans will hope is given exactly what he needs in the transfer window.

Just Nat Phillips – arriving from Liverpool for around £3million – has walked through the doors at The Hawthorns so far this summer.

But with West Brom’s season opener against Blackburn just over a month away, further signings are expected after the 2-0 win over Port Vale.

Ryan Mason, Tottenham, West Brom
Credit: Imago

West Brom fans delight at Bostock strike

West Brom’s first pre-season friendly was played behind closed doors, at their training ground on Friday (4 July).

And it was a positive start for Mason, as his side ran out winners over Port Vale – courtesy of goals from Tammer Bany and Ollie Bostock.

Bany’s opener required a coolly-taken finish, but it was Bostock’s goal which caught the attention of the West Brom fans.

Taken first-time from just inside the box, the smashed effort flew into the top corner and beyond the sprawling goalkeeper.

Baggies fans shared their delight on social media, with one fan dubbing Bostock “starboy” while another exclaimed: “Strike.”

Mason enjoys positive start

West Brom and Mason can be pleased to have started their pre-season in the best possible way.

It is easy to get carried away with friendly results, which cannot always be translated to real competition, but confidence will have received a boost regardless.

With the Championship opener just over a month away, Mason will want to put the team through their paces as much as he can.

Should his team start the season in tip-top shape, their chances of a running start only increase, with a positive beginning absolutely crucial for Mason.

The Baggies will next take to the pitch against Dynamo Kyiv on July 11, before taking on Blackpool, Lincoln City and Rayo Vallecano.

Mason will hope to strike an important balance between fitness and confidence, allowing his team to experience their new instructions, whilst building back their match-readiness.

Bostock could be the real winner of pre-season, based on the early evidence.

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