Worth a shot: Peripheral WBA man deserves a long-awaited start this week - opinion

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

West Brom reached the summit of the Championship table for the first time this season as they extended their unbeaten run to a ninth straight game following a victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Young Nathan Ferguson, continuing to play ‘out of position’ at left-back, opened the scoring in the second half after his marauding run was topped off with an almost effortless 25-yard strike which beat the QPR shot-stopper all ends up.

The victory was then clinched less than ten minutes from time as Matheus Pereira slotted in a free-kick underneath the wall after centre-back Yoann Barbet was sent off for a last-man challenge on substitute Hal Robson-Kanu.

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Charlie Austin made way for the Welshman just after the hour mark and that change is something Slaven Bilic should consider making from the start against Leeds on Tuesday evening.

The 30-year-old has been very much a bit-part player this season having been restricted to just four substitute appearances in the Championship, but that has mostly been down to injury.

Last week Football FanCast suggested that Robson-Kanu could have a more significant role than expected this season and in his short 30-minute cameo, that argument has only been strengthened.

His introduction gave a new lease of life to the Baggies’ attack, and as already mentioned, it was his pace that drew the last-ditch foul from Barbet, the forward would have certainly been in on goal for a one-on-one without the challenge.

Robson-Kanu was a lively figure winning two aerial duels, which was tied-second for the most in the match despite playing considerably less time.

He also managed two shots at goal, only one less than Austin and both players recorded just one on target, so the substitute had a better percentage rate in that sense.

The £4m summer arrival is yet to get on the scoresheet in the league, so it surely won’t do any harm in giving Robson-Kanu a long-awaited start upfront on Tuesday.

He looked fit and raring to go against QPR, and last week he netted a brace in a youth game.

from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/2oS3Ilx