West Brom let one of their only jet-heeled, unpredictable and creative players leave to join Bristol City on loan.
West Brom’s insomnia-curing stalemate with West Ham at the Hawthorns on Saturday will not be the first nor the last time they are held to a bore draw under Tony Pulis.
While the cap-donning gaffer ensures The Baggies can guarantee a place in the mid-table melting pot, it’s fair to say simple survival is not enough for some supporters and nor should it be. After all, who wants to cheer a hard-earned home draw, even if it does take you one point closer to that magic tally of 40?
West Brom’s lack of flair in attack has been a bone of contention among the anti-Pulis brigade throughout his tenure in the Midlands and the fact that The Baggies were once again relying on the likes of Chris Brunt and James Morrison to make something happen suggests nothing is likely to change soon.
The Magic Man
Yet, if Pulis is keeping a close eye on the performances of Jonathan Leko during his loan spell at Championship high-flyers Bristol City, he will know that he has an ace in his pack.
The 18-year-old, who became the first player born after the millennium to feature in England’s top flight, has wasted no time in thrilling supporters down at Ashton Gate. A natural street footballer blessed with tricks and flicks of every kind, Leko dazzled in Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of Derby County.
He may not score the 23 goals Tammy Abraham managed on loan from Chelsea last season but Leko, who some fans have likened to former Robins winger Yannick Bolasie, could make a similarly transformative impact under Lee Johnson.
Whether he could have made the difference in West Brom’s dour draw with West Ham is another matter. However, his directness, pace and unpredictability is something The Baggies are crying out for.
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