We reminisce about West Bromwich Albion’s wingers over the last decade.
West Bromwich Albion have a great history of pacey, skilful and exciting wingers that lit up the Hawthorns. Tommy Glidden, Willie Johnston, Clive Clarke, Frank Griffin and Laurie Cunningham are just a few names to gain legendary status for their exploits up and down the wings.
As Matt Phillips, James McClean and Nacer Chadli take the plaudits this season, let’s remember the best and worst of Albion wingers over the last decade.
The good
Jerome Thomas was a key force in the Roberto Di Matteo’s 2009/10 promotion winning side. The tricky ex-Arsenal man turned Championship defenders inside out and then carried that form into the top flight.
Memorably, Thomas helped inspire the Baggies 3-2 victory at the Emirates before sending Manchester United right-back Gary Neville into retirement with a dominant first-half performance at the Hawthorns. On his day, Thomas – who now plays for League One side Port Vale – knew how to get the Hawthorns crowd on their feet.
It was similar story for Stephane Sessegnon. Although he struggled with consistency and a unreliable end-product, the Benin international was a useful attacking outlet for the Baggies. Like Thomas, he always had a trick up his sleeve to beat a defender; you just had to hope he made the right choice after that.
The bad
Scott Sinclair arrived at the Hawthorns in 2013 hoping to recapture the explosive form which earned him a high-profile move from Swansea City to Manchester City. It didn’t work out for the former Chelsea man, who only made eight league appearances for the Baggies. Sinclair looked void of the pace and confidence that made him such a promising prospect for the Swans.
Giles Barnes was also given the opportunity to turn his career round after injuries hampered his time with Derby County. The winger helped Di Matteo’s Albion side over the promotion finishing line with his cameos off the bench against Blackpool and Swansea. But he failed to make his mark in the Premier League and was released at the end of the 2010/11 campaign.
Another player who had to get used to substitute cameos was Callum McManaman. Tony Pulis’ first signing as West Brom boss couldn’t nail down a first-team spot with injuries, accusations of diving and a lack of defensive responsibility holding him back.
The enigmatic
You never knew what you were getting when Somen Tchoyi made his way onto the pitch. The former Red Bull Salzburg man had an incredible knack for beating defenders while looking like he could fall over his own feet at any given moment.
For of all his frustrating outings, Tchoyi gave Albion supporters some great memories, including his hat-trick away to Newcastle United in 2011.
Morgan Amalfitano’s dinked finish at Old Trafford in 2013 will be replayed for years to come. His form dropped off for spells during his season-long loan from Marseille but the Frenchman delivered important goals and assists as the Baggies narrowly avoided the drop.
The forgotten
With 98 minutes of league football between them, Yassine El Ghanassy, Alex Pritchard and Sebastian Blanco didn’t enjoy the best of times at the Hawthorns.
They join former Porto loanee Silvestre Valera as the wingers we might not remember.
The legendary
In contrast, Chris Brunt and Zoltan Gera will both go down as West Brom favourites after their tremendous service to the club.
Although Brunt now fills in across the pitch for Tony Pulis’ side, he spent many of his early years on the left wing for the Baggies. The Northern Ireland international has never been the quickest but he makes up for it with his wicked left-foot.
Gera didn’t rely on pace either. The Hungarian had an incredible footballing brain along with technical skill and a brilliant leap. ‘Zolly’ also had a knack for scoring important goals before celebrating with his iconic cartwheel and backflip.
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