“I would not say it’s a big blow” – West Brom fan pundit reacts as player suffers setback | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Football League World’s West Brom fan pundit, Matt Smith, says he believes the club can cope with the injury enforced absence of Kyle Bartley, even if he would prefer to have the centre back available.

After a below par start to the season under Steve Bruce, Bartley enjoyed something of a resurgence in the early stages of Carlos Corberan’s time as manager.

The 31-year-old scored twice, and impressed with his performances, shortly after the Spaniard was hired by the Baggies, helping them pick up some important results to pull clear of the relegation zone.

However, the former Arsenal prospect has not featured in the Championship since mid-November due to injury, and it was recently revealed that Bartley will be out for another six weeks, after suffering a setback in his recovery.

Now it seems that while Matt would prefer to have the centre back available, he believes the options available in that position, means the club should be able to cope without him.

Asked if Bartley’s latest injury setback is a big blow for West Brom, the Baggies fan told Football League World:

“To begin with, earlier on in the season, especially when Steve Bruce was manager, I’d certainly say that Kyle Bartley had no future at the club, and if he had been ruled out for five or six, it would have been no loss what so ever.

“But since Corberan came in, he has been somewhat revitalised, of course he scored a few goals in Corberan’s early games and then picked up an injury once more.

“It’s probably not as big of a loss as it would have been earlier on in Corberan’s reign, when he scored the goals and so on.

“But because Dara O’Shea and Erik Pieters are playing so well, it’s probably going to be ok, we’ve got Semi Ajayi as back-up, but I’d rather have Kyle Bartley fit and then if needed if something goes wrong we can bring him in. I would not say it’s a big blow though.”

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The Verdict

This setback for Bartley may stil be something of a concern for West Brom.

Admittedly, the way that the Baggies have been playing with O’Shea and Pieters at the back, means they have not missed him massively.

However, it does reduce the scope to rotate that Corberan has if neccessary, and with such an important period coming up in the play-off race, you imagine he would prefer to have that if possible.

Indeed, any more injuries at centre back could leave West Brom on a bit of a selection tightrope, so this is an update you imagine they would have rather not been hit with.