“Not sure going to Ipswich makes sense" - West Brom fan pundit questions Brighton transfer decision | 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…

Jeremy Sarmiento’s time on loan at West Brom came to an end earlier this week.

Brighton opted to recall the Ecuador international from his loan stint at the Hawthorns as part of their agreement with the Baggies.

Sarmiento has since moved to promotion rivals Ipswich Town following an agreement between the Seagulls and the Suffolk outfit.

The forward featured 20 times for Carlos Corberan’s side prior to his return to Brighton on 1 January, contributing two goals.

But he will now be part of Kieran McKenna’s first team squad for the second half of the season, as the Tractor Boys look to secure promotion to the Premier League.

West Brom fan pundit: “Not sure going to Ipswich makes sense”

FLW’s West Brom fan pundit Matt Smith believes that Sarmiento certainly has potential, but is unsure whether a move to Ipswich is the right decision.

He has questioned the amount of playing time the youngster will receive at Portman Road, and believes Albion must now do what they can to find a replacement this month.

“Really weird one because I think the way I’d describe him is a typical, young Premier League loanee player so definitely had talent, just look at the two goals he scored,” Smith told Football League World.

“The one at Cardiff especially was brilliant.

“He clearly has potential and he definitely has ability, he wouldn’t be playing for Brighton if he didn’t.

“I’m pretty confident he’ll go on to have a decent career at a high level.

“However, I’m just not sure going to Ipswich makes sense.

“He would have had more game time in the next month or so due to Diangana going to Africa and because we’ve got injury problems, so I was looking forward to seeing what he could offer further after a mixed sort of first half of the season.

“But whenever he was fit, he wasn’t a guaranteed starter.

“So now I don’t understand how he’s going to go to Ipswich and get the game time it appears he wants and Brighton certainly want.

“Is he better than Hutchinson? I wouldn’t say so. Is he better than Chaplin? No.

“So, I’m just not sure he gets game time for them either.

“I think McKenna’s way of playing, and their more attack-focused setup will help him and it’s probably something that appeals to Brighton too.

“I’m not sure it’s too big of a blow, but from a replacement point of view we desperately, desperately need one.

“But we’ve got no money, so it’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out.”

West Brom are currently fifth in the Championship table, 13 points adrift of second place Ipswich.

The gap to seventh place Hull City is just three points, with 20 games still remaining in the campaign.

Next up for Corberan’s side is an FA Cup third round clash against Aldershot Town on 7 January.

A minor blow for West Brom

Losing Sarmiento won’t have a major impact on West Brom’s immediate starting lineup when everyone’s available.

However, injuries have been an issue for Corberan’s side this season so having the extra firepower in the squad through the Ecuadorian was very useful.

He also brings a Premier League quality to the squad that was evident in bursts.

There was potential for him to find more consistency in the second half of the campaign, which would have made him a great threat to have in the final third in West Brom’s promotion bid.