Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024
Occasional Digest - a story for you

West Brom have collected just three points out of a possible 15, a run that is the worst since Carlos Corberan succeeded Steve Bruce as Baggies boss almost two years ago.

But they remain fourth in the Championship and in their last outing became the first side this season to come away with even a point at Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park home.

“I don’t think they’ve [West Brom] won in five… but they’re a good side; they’re disciplined out of possession and they’ve got attacking threats in possession and it’ll be a tough game – but it’s not one we’re frightened of,” Riza said.

“Their form hasn’t been great but they’re a good side, their form hasn’t been great but they’ve lost two and drawn three, we’re not approaching the game lightly, that’s for sure.

“We haven’t lost a game in three and we want to continue that. We’re going to go away from home, to a tough opposition – for us it’s a really good test to see where we’ve come from to where we are at the moment, to where we’re trying to get to.

“It’s a great gauge, we’ve got some tough games and this is the first of them coming up and we’re fully motivated to try and get a result.”

Key midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ralls remain on the injury list, with Ramsey at least three weeks away and Ralls a possibility to return against Blackburn Rovers on 9 November.

But Riza is happy with the strength in depth of his squad, with other players having stepped up in recent weeks.

“We’re a strong squad, we’ve got 25, 26 players, everyone wants to play and providing they’re working hard and respectful of each other, and they support each other, everyone has an opportunity to play and I’ve made that clear from the get-go,” Riza added.

“Young lads get the opportunity, they do well they play. The only time they come out is there’s something tactical that needs to be changed.

“You earn the shirt but you don’t just earn the shirt by performing in training and games, you earn the shirt with all your other actions as well, what you do outside of the pitch.”

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