West Bromwich Albion, regardless of harm issues that would derail them all through the season, are nonetheless within the thick of the play-off combine.
Profitable 2-1 towards Coventry Metropolis final day out was arguably a press release victory, beating a rival combating for a play-off spot alongside the Baggies to consolidate fifth spot within the Championship desk.
Alex Mowatt would stand out within the slender win over the Sky Blues, misplacing simply two of his 69 passes on the Hawthorns as a cool presence in the midst of the park.
However whereas Mowatt would win plaudits as a key participant on the full-time whistle, there could possibly be some remorse from West Brom’s perspective that they haven’t retained one former midfielder on the membership to rival their 29-year profession. -old putting man.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s time at West Brom
There should have been some disappointment when Taylor Gardner-Hickman left completely for Bristol Metropolis in January. The 22-year-old left his personal membership after failing to change into a star for the senior facet.
Gardner-Hickman would discover himself within the first staff on the Hawthorns with lots of hype hooked up to his title, main each the U18s and U21s to 17 purpose contributions from 64 appearances.
Gardner-Hickman can play in a central midfield place – the place Mowatt continues to shine – and will additionally do a wonderful job at wing-back and additional ahead.
It’s in Mowatt’s present place the place the 6ft 2in determine would present indicators of his high quality, scoring a purpose and offering assists in 11 appearances.
It was in actuality a disappointing transition to the primary staff for the previous West Brom quantity 29, who would rating only one extra purpose and two extra assists earlier than leaving the West Midlands, initially on mortgage solely to Bristol Metropolis.
Nonetheless, Gardner-Hickman would make a everlasting transfer to Ashton Gate in early 2024, with the present Robins quantity 22 by no means wanting again since to make West Brom remorse their choice to launch their ex-youth product.
With West Brom’s dangerous luck in the case of harm issues might land them in hassle once more, it might have been helpful to have such a versatile determine in Gardner-Hickman at their disposal.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman at Bristol Metropolis
Gardner-Hickman cuts a way more assured determine taking part in for his new employers than he did as a small participant for West Brom, which means the 22-year-old has now matched Mowatt’s figures at Bristol.
The brand new recruit has one purpose and 4 assists to his title this marketing campaign, sporting Bristol Metropolis pink, with that solitary strike a surprise purpose as he headed in off the crossbar towards Middlesbrough in a pulsating 3-2 win late final 12 months.
Gardner-Hickman, as soon as described by BirminghamLive journalist Alex Dicken as a “threatening” expertise for the Baggies, is lastly exhibiting off this class for Bristol, with the common sport time handed to him by Liam Manning working wonders.
It could have been a crushing break of ties between Corberan’s facet and Gardner-Hickman in January – contemplating the 22-year-old had been in and across the West Brom ranks since 2009 – with the 1’s improved type 80 meter tall man since he left the league. it makes the promotion hunters even sicker to let him go.
Nonetheless, West Brom will solely hope that the likes of Mowatt can steer them in the direction of promotion in order that letting go of Gardner-Hickman is simpler to abdomen.
