West Brom player ratings vs Middlesbrough – Mikey Johnston a livewire, 3/10 star horrendous
West Brom were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough in a frustrating game at the Riverside Stadium on Friday night.
The Baggies succumbed to back-to-back defeats thanks to goals from David Strelec and Kely Sene, as Aune Heggebo’s late consolation couldn’t prevent another loss in the Championship.
Ryan Mason’s West Brom team selection raised eyebrows ahead of the game, and the boss was left to rue his decisions as his side struggled to create clear-cut opportunities throughout.
With that in mind, West Brom News rates the performances of Albion player out of 10, as they left the North East empty-handed.
Mikey Johnston impressive in Middlesbrough defeat
Mikey Johnston caught the eye in West Brom’s defeat last weekend, and he was lively again on Friday night when he was introduced from the bench in the second half.
The Baggies immediately had so much more devilment and energy in their play when the Irishman came on, and he repeatedly beat his man as he tried to get his side back into the game late on.
- Johnston completed three successful dribbles during his 30 minutes of action
- That total was more than any other West Brom player
It was not a night of strong performances across the board for the visitors, but Johnston certainly provided a bright spark in the attacking half of the pitch in the latter stages, and laid on the cross for Aune Heggebo to nod home their late consolation.
The 26-year-old turned in an 8/10 display during his cameo, and can count himself unfortunate to have not started the game.
Ousmane Diakite awful for West Brom
Ousmane Diakite nearly left West Brom this summer, as interest arrived from Saudi Arabia.
However, a deal never materialised, and he has since been limited to just a handful of minutes in the early stages of the new season.
Mason has hardly strayed from the duo of Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby at the base of the midfield, and after Diakite’s display on Friday night, it’s not difficult to see why.
- Diakite won just 20% of his duels on Friday night
- He was also dribbled past twice in the Middlesbrough defeat
The 25-year-old looked a yard off the pace all over the pitch at the Riverside Stadium, and simply didn’t have the speed of thought to make decisions quickly enough in the middle of the park.
He was careless with the ball and struggled to have any sort of positive impact on the game. With that in mind, the midfielder was worthy of little more than a 3/10 rating.
West Brom player ratings
Josh Griffiths – 6
George Campbell – 5
Nat Phillips – 6
Chris Mepham – 6
Callum Styles – 4
Ousmane Diakite – 3
Alex Mowatt – 6
Jayson Molumby – 5
Jed Wallace – 5
Aune Heggebo – 6
Isaac Price – 5
Substitutes
Toby Collyer – 6
Mikey Johnston – 8
Josh Maja – 6
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