West Brom welcome Kyle Bartley to The Hawthorns as footage emerges vs Portsmouth
West Brom’s 100 per cent winning record in the Championship this season came to an end as they drew 1-1 with Portsmouth on Saturday.
Ryan Mason was sent off as Albion were on the receiving end of two horrific refereeing decisions at The Hawthorns that, on another day, would have all but guaranteed them the three points.
Mikey Johnston broke the deadlock for West Brom with a spectacular strike from distance as the winger looks to continue to cement his place in the starting XI.
With the Albion supporters rightly leaving The Hawthorns infuriated after two key moments went against them, they had a feel-good moment when Kyle Bartley returned for the first time since his retirement.
Bartley reunited with West Brom supporters as new footage surfaces
Bartley retired earlier this summer, with the 34-year-old struggling with an injury.
With Bartley retiring and Torbjorn Heggem leaving to join Bologna, there has been plenty of change in the heart of the Baggies’ defence before the new campaign.
Nat Phillips and George Campbell have been the pairing that Mason has opted to deploy in the last two games and looks to be the first-choice pairing moving forward.
- Krystian Bielik is another option Mason could use at centre-back
- Fans were concerned as Bielik was left out of the squad against Portsmouth
However, the former Albion skipper returned to The Hawthorns and was in attendance to watch the match.
West Brom posted on their official X account the emotional moment as Bartley and his children received a warm welcome from the supporters in attendance.
West Brom to be at an instant disadvantage against Stoke
Next up for the Baggies is a trip to Stoke next weekend, but they will be at a disadvantage before a ball has been kicked due to Mason’s dismissal on Saturday.
Albion will be wanting to keep this unbeaten run going for as long as possible, but they will be coming up against a Stoke City side that have started the season on fire.
The Potters currently sit at the top of the table, and whilst it is early days, their results have been impressive, with their most recent win coming against Southampton.
Whilst West Brom may have been frustrated at having to settle for a point against Portsmouth, a draw against Stoke next weekend would be a decent result considering their circumstances.
Sign up for the West Brom News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Bromwich Albion news sent straight to your phone.