If West Bromwich Albion could count on a centre-back as solid and reliable as James Tomkins, they might not be in this mess.
The relegation-threatened Baggies have kept just one clean sheet in 17 Premier League matches this season. Last time out, they were ripped apart by Arsenal. The game before that, Leeds ran riot with a five-star, five-goal performance at Elland Road.
Over at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace have kept two clean sheets in their last three games, including in Thursday night’s goalless draw at Arsenal. It is no coincidence that this has coincided with Tomkins’ return from a lengthy injury absence.
It was hardly a game for the purists but, if an organised, well-drilled backline gets your blood pumping, you would certainly have been impressed by the way Tomkins kept Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and co at arms’ length, all the while making more clearances (6) than anyone else on the Emirates pitch.
The Mail reported a few weeks’ back that Sam Allardyce would jump at the chance to be reunited with his former West Ham stopper at The Hawthorns this month.
But with Tomkins transforming a team who conceded seven to Liverpool and three to Aston Villa over the festive period, it would be a major surprise if Crystal Palace would even entertain an offer now.
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