Jack Fitzwater is highly rated by West Bromwich Albion but he was not at his best for League One Walsall at Barnsley on Saturday.
Young West Bromwich Albion defender Jack Fitzwater has been on loan at Walsall since the start of 2018 and, for the most part, his spell at the Bescot Stadium should be considered a success.
The 20-year-old was hugely impressive in 16 games for the Saddlers in the second half of last season. So much so that Baggies boss Darren Moore had considered giving him a role in his first-team squad for 2018/19, before deciding that another loan spell at Walsall would be better for his development, as reported by the Express and Star.
Since returning to the third tier, Fitzwater has helped Walsall remain unbeaten across their first seven games of the new season. But the youngster has not endured many days like the 1-1 draw at Barnsley on Saturday.
He opened the scoring at Oakwell, albeit into his own net, deflecting in an effort from the Tykes’ Nigerian forward Victor Adeboyejo.
And, with just seconds left on the clock, Fitzwater’s dismal day in South Yorkshire got worse as he missed a sitter from a few yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Fortunately, Andy Cook stepped up even later to earn Walsall a point and spare Fitzwater’s blushes somewhat.
Fitzwater appears to have a bright future at West Brom, only signing a two-year contract in the summer. But he, and West Brom, will be hoping displays like this are an anomaly.
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