Val deserves praise for improvisation
ALBION moved to within three points of the Championship’s automatic promotion places with a narrow 1-0 win over Reading at The Hawthorns.
Head coach Valerien Ismael was forced into four changes following a Covid-19 outbreak at the club, which saw captain Jake Livermore and Adam Reach line up in defence.
The Baggies gained ground on second-placed Bournemouth, who suffered a 2-0 home defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Blackburn.
Here are the talking points.
Covid-19 outbreak
Ismael was forced to improvise in defence due to Cedric Kipre, Matt Clarke, Conor Townsend and Semi Ajayi all contracting coronavirus.
In his post-match debrief, the Frenchman confirmed other players had been showing symptoms and Friday’s trip to Barnsley could present further challenges for his side.
Ismael named six academy players on the bench alongside back-up goalkeeper David Button after having just 10 fit senior pros at his disposal.
If more players are forced to selfisolate, there could be more disruption to Albion’s line-up at Oakwell, with Livermore, Reach and Taylor Gardner-Hickman already being tasked with playing out of position.
Mr Versatile
Nineteen-year-old TGH caught Ismael’s eye from the moment he reported for pre-season training and has become the centre of attention.
He produced outstanding displays against Hull, Huddersfield and Coventry, where he picked up the manof-the-match award.
Since joining the senior set-up, he was set his toughest challenge to date against the Royals, being deployed as left wing-back.
It is fair to say he was worthy of another man-of-the-match gong after the performance he put in, which was backed by Ismael’s comments about
the importance of his versatility.