John Swift has become the latest addition to West Brom’s growing list of injured players following his recent injury against Birmingham City. The defeat in the Second City highlighted West Brom’s inconsistent form, with a controversial penalty issue dominating the match.
Despite their inconsistent performances, West Brom currently finds themselves in mid-table, having secured four wins in their first 11 fixtures against Swansea City, Middlesbrough, Preston, and Sheffield Wednesday. With a challenging set of fixtures ahead, the team is eager to accumulate points against Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers to maintain their hopes of a playoff spot.
However, winning won’t be a given, as West Brom faces the challenge of coping with their weakened squad due to injuries, which might present opportunities for less experienced players further down the depth chart.
Several key West Brom forwards are currently sidelined. In addition to John Swift, who will be out for six weeks due to a calf strain, both Josh Maja and Daryl Dike are expected to remain out of action for an extended period. Maja won’t be back until after the November international break due to ankle ligament damage, while Dike is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in April.
Furthermore, winger Jeremy Sarmiento has also joined the list of injured players with a quadriceps injury, sidelining him until the end of the month.
In this challenging situation, West Brom’s forward players will need to show adaptability and flexibility. Jed Wallace and Grady Diangana are currently the only two available options, making it crucial to avoid any injuries during this hectic period of fixtures.
| Championship Table (As it stands w/c October 9th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 9 |
Hull City
|
11 | 2 | 17 |
| 10 | Southampton | 11 | -4 | 17 |
| 11 | West Brom | 11 | 4 | 16 |
| 12 | Swansea City | 11 | 4 | 16 |
| 13 | Coventry City | 11 | 4 | 15 |
| 14 | Bristol City | 11 | 1 | 15 |
| 15 |
Millwall
|
11 | -2 | 15 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 11 | -1 | 14 |
As for who will replace John Swift, while the most likely candidates include the club’s top scorer and current wing-back Matt Phillips, young talent Tom Fellows had an impressive cameo at St. Andrew’s and could potentially earn more playing time. Fellows, an energetic forward, has progressed through West Brom’s academy and had a successful start in 2021, scoring regularly for the U18s.
He made his EFL Cup debut against Arsenal in August of the same year and gained experience in the Championship, making his first second-tier start against Cardiff City in January 2022. During the previous season, he spent time on loan at Crawley Town in League Two, playing 38 games and registering two assists.
Although Fellows is still in the early stages of his professional career, his inclusion in the first team might be necessary to manage the minutes of Wallace and Diangana. While his ability to deliver the final cross or pass and finish opportunities is not yet a strength, regular minutes alongside experienced players could help him develop these aspects of his game.
Given West Brom’s limited options and financial constraints preventing them from delving into free agency, it is crucial to place trust in the potential of this young talent. Any doubts about his short-term ability should be overshadowed by the long-term benefits of nurturing a highly-regarded player and injecting much-needed quality into the forward positions.
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