Don Goodman baffled by West Brom fans' treatment of Karlan Grant
Don Goodman has praised Karlan Grant for the way he has gone about trying to win over the West Brom fanbase.
Grant's career seemed certain to lie away from The Hawthorns after spending last season out on loan at Cardiff City.
However, he returned to the club in the summer and has started Albion's opening two Championship games of the 2024-25 campaign.
Giving his view on Grant's situation, Goodman told West Brom News he is unsure why the forward is still not universally liked at Albion.
"The fans have never really taken to him," he said. "Even when he was top scorer they weren't really singing his name. For some reason, they just never really took to him - and I don't know why.
"The price tag, around £15million, obviously doesn't help, plus the wages. Having said all that, it's the same for any player. If you put everything into it and the fans can see that, you can win fans around.
"Karlan has gone on record to say he wants to fight for his place and that's a really good thing to see. Clearly at this moment in time, with the squad being short in terms of numbers, Carlos Corberan will clearly continue to use him and start him.
"Karlan deserves a pat on the back for the work he's clearly put in over the summer to convince Carlos Corberan that he can be used while he's still at the club and won't let him down.
"So it's good to see a hungry player wanting to prove himself. That can only be a good thing from a West Bromwich Albion perspective."
Karlan Grant has a part to play for West Brom
As Goodman says, a player who gives their all for a club will always win the respect of the fanbase.
The problem with the 26-year-old has often been the quality has struggled to justify his £15m price tag, albeit he did score 18 times in 44 Championship matches a few seasons ago.
If Corberan can get that type of return out of Grant this season then Albion will be in a very strong position. Doing so will be easier said than done, though.
Indeed, across Grant's 165 minutes on the field so far this season, he has yet to score or assist a goal.
The fact he has made clear to Corberan he wants to stay and fight for his place is a start. Should performances improve, there is no reason why supporters will not be singing his name come the end of the season.
In other West Brom news, Albion are tied up in a "mockery" of a transfer situation.
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