West Brom: Carlos Corberan makes Kyle Bartley and Uros Racic revelation | OneFootball

The Baggies boss highlighted both Kyle Bartley and Uros Racic for their contributions at Sunderland in midweek.

West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan highlighted the impact of Kyle Bartley and Uros Racic during their 0-0 stalemate at Sunderland in midweek.

The Baggies continued their incredible run of draws in the second tier, with their latest blank at the Stadium of Light making it an eighth draw in nine Championship games, with their only victory during this time coming at Hull City earlier in November.

The Black Country outfit are preparing for another quick turnaround, with a trip to Deepdale to visit Preston North End looming this weekend. The Lilywhites are also in a stuttering vein of form, taking just four points from their last six Championship outings, leaving them 22nd in the form table under Paul Heckingbottom.

Albion will take comfort in the fact that they haven’t been beaten during the sticky patch they are currently enduring, but draws need to turn into wins sooner rather than later, with Corberan’s men currently eight points off of a top two spot.

However, it was a magnificent result in the Northeast on Tuesday evening, with Albion becoming the first side to stop the Black Cats from scoring at their own ground so far this season, while achieving it with a very much patched up backline.

West Brom’s defensive woes

Long-term defensive injuries have plagued the Baggies in recent times, with first-team regular Semi Ajayi out for four months after having surgery on a hamstring injury, while on-loan defender Paddy McNair suffered a similar hamstring problem and is sidelined for around two months without requiring surgery.

This has meant summer signings Mason Holgate and Torbjørn Heggem have had to form an unexpected partnership at the heart of the backline, with both putting in solid shifts in the absence of their teammates.

Heading into their trip to the Stadium of Light, Albion were hit with further blows as a suspension to Darnell Furlong ruled him out of the contest, while Kyle Bartley was only fit enough to make the substitutes' bench originally after returning from minor knee surgery.

After much contemplation, Corberan opted to field a back-three, with Ousmane Diakite planned to fit in alongside Holgate and Heggem for only his second start since joining the Baggies this summer.

But the plans were soon scuppered after the Malian international suffered a knock in the warm-up, and Bartley stepped forward to captain the side. After getting through the first half, midfielder Uros Racic slotted into the centre of defence in a five-back system, stifling an impressive Sunderland attack consisting of Patrick Roberts and Jobe Bellingham to earn a very hard-fought point.

Carlos Corberan heaps praise on Bartley and Racic's heroics

Speaking ahead of Albion’s visit to Preston on Saturday afternoon, Corberan acknowledged their fifth successive stalemate against the Black Cats. Despite a lack of victories on the board in recent times, the Spaniard admitted he was impressed with the way his players stepped up to the challenge in testing situations, highlighting the impact both Bartley and Racic had at the back.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Corberan said: “We know we are experiencing some defensive difficulties, we have been missing three centre-backs, but we recovered Kyle Bartley. The advice from the medical staff was he could only play 20 to 30 minutes if it were necessary.

“However, with the problems of Ousmane Diakite, he stepped up and said he wanted to play. I like seeing this behaviour and this courage from my players, especially when you know you’re not at your best level to compete.

“It was decided Kyle Bartley would only play for the first 45 minutes because there was no possibility he could play any longer. After he came off, Uros Racic, a number eight, played at centre-back for the rest of the game, showing you the challenge we have at the back.

“He had some problems too and wasn’t feeling his best, but he also showed a good mentality and courage.”