Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Sat 2 May 2026 17:00, UK

Ollie Bostock was handed a start in West Bromwich Albion‘s defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, but he failed to impress.

With survival already achieved, James Morrison was afforded the chance to experiment somewhat, having been appointed as the Baggies’ permanent head coach.

Given that Albion fell to a 2-1 defeat, it’s fair to say that it didn’t work, though it will have given him some valuable insight into their summer priorities.

And one of his experiments saw Bostock handed his third start of the Championship season, and only his second appearance since the start of March.

The 19-year-old has shown flashes of quality in his short cameos throughout the campaign, but Bostock failed to impress against Wednesday.

Ollie Bostock fails to shine in Sheffield Wednesday defeat

There is certainly a player in there, but without regular gametime, Bostock will never reach the potential that he has.

And he is almost certain not to get that at West Brom next season, with a loan exit the most likely outcome.

Against the Owls, he was hooked after just 45 minutes, having failed to create a single chance and only having 19 touches.

He failed to complete his only attempted dribble, only attempted cross, while also being dispossessed on three separate occasions.

Saturday’s defeat was certainly not on him whatsoever, but he did his chances of being involved regularly next season no good.

West Brom exit beckons for Bostock

Bostock can come good, but to do so, he will have to spend the next campaign away from The Hawthorns to gain the experience.

From the glimpses of quality he has shown, as well as his record in the Premier League 2, he will not be short of suitors.

It would give him the chance to showcase his worth in senior football, while also affording the Baggies a full season to monitor his development, with a move to either League One or League Two likely on the cards.