Charlie Taylor to the rescue as teammate struggles – West Brom player ratings vs Birmingham City
West Brom held on for a valuable point in the Championship against local rivals Birmingham City.
After West Brom’s goalless draw with Stoke City last Saturday, many supporters feared for their side ahead of a trip to Birmingham City on Tuesday night.
Some West Brom fans weren’t best pleased with Eric Ramsay’s assessment of that stalemate but they would have certainly taken a point at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night.
Heading into Ramsay‘s sixth game in charge at West Brom, the 34-year-old was still looking for his first victory in the dugout.
Despite looking solid at the back and lukewarm in attack, West Brom just about held on for a goalless draw against Birmingham, who had a 95th-minute winner from August Priske controversially ruled out for offside. This was the best result of Ramsay’s tenure.
West Brom saved by wise old head Charlie Taylor
West Brom offered precious little in attack, but they were rock solid at the back in the wind and rain against the Blues.
January signing Max O’Leary made a number of good saves, particularly from Marvin Ducksch’s long-range piledriver.
But, arguably, the best bit of defending on the night was from former Burnley man Charlie Taylor in the second half.
Brighton loanee Ibrahim Osman looked to have given the hosts the lead when his drilled effort from eight yards raced towards the back of the net. However, Taylor had other ideas and made a brilliant goal-line clearance to save West Brom.
Taylor hasn’t had the best season, but that did him a world of good and kept West Brom’s clean sheet intact.
The result meant West Brom went two points clear of the relegation zone but 22nd-placed Blackburn Rovers have a game in hand. Birmingham, who felt very hard done by as Demarai Gray was deemed to have been offside for the goal, are still in the play-off hunt.
Much-improved display for unlucky Crystal Palace loanee Danny Imray
When Danny Imray joined West Brom on loan from Crystal Palace, hopes were high that the 22-year-old could shine in the Championship.
However, Imray had a poor West Brom debut in a heavy defeat to Portsmouth on 31 January at Fratton Park.
However, the right-back was much more composed against Birmingham, something he exemplified when he beautifully took down a probing long ball forward in the first half.
He more than handled winger Osman but was booked towards the end of the first half. Ramsay didn’t want to risk him picking up another yellow, despite an encouraging outing in Birmingham. That will give him confidence going forward.
And on what was a solid performance overall from Albion, it was arguably Aune Heggebo who struggled the most as he was unable to make an impact in attack.
West Brom player ratings vs Birmingham
Max O’Leary – 8
Daniel Imray – 7
Nathaniel Phillips – 7
Charlie Taylor – 8
Callum Styles – 7
Jed Wallace – 5
Jayson Molumby – 6
Alex Mowatt – 6
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba – 6
Isaac Price – 5
Aune Heggebo – 5
Substitutes:
Alfie Gilchrist – 5
Daryl Dike – 5
Michael Johnstone – 5
Krystian Bielik – 5