West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, in defeat, was happy with what he saw from the likes of Tom Fellows and Adam Reach this festive period.
Carlos Corberan has been left pleased by the commitment shown by the the next cabs off the rank over the festive period as patched up West Brom look to the transfer window to replenish their numbers. Corberan was forced to field an altered side on New Year’s Day at Swansea City with his options severely hit by injuries and, in one case, loan recalls.
That meant a first start under Corberan – and his first since January 2022 – for academy product Tom Fellows, who impressed in the driving South Wales rain and completed 90 minutes for the first time in his senior career. With Jed Wallace carrying an adductor injury, John Swift managing his calf issue and Jeremy Sarmiento recalled by Brighton – as well as Grady Diangana heading off to partake in AFCON – Fellows grasped his opportunity.
The 20-year-old, whose contract expires this coming summer, is expected to be handed more minutes in the coming weeks, beginning with the visit of non-league Aldershot Town in the FA Cup this weekend, while minutes are also likely to be in order for the returning Adam Reach, who has marked his comeback from injury with a couple of festive cameos.
Without Sarmiento, Diangana, Matt Phillips and, potentially, Wallace for the coming games, Corberan was satisfied with what he saw from within the deeper reaches of his squad as he prepares for what January has in store.
“I am pleased, more than with the number of points in these four games – we have covered let’s say the minimum number of points to keep in a good position in the table,” Corberan reflected. “The best thing we could’ve done was win, to achieve nine points from 12, but we couldn’t, but when I see my team competing like they have done in this number of games, in these conditions, I am very pleased and looking forward to work with them.
“When you look at the results out of context you make a type of analysis, we didn’t win any of the games we played away, but when you put the games in context I find a lot of reasons to look forward and keep working with a player like Fellows, or a player like Reach, I was watching a lot of commitment in the pitch.
“I was very pleased with Fellows. For me he was very, very dangerous in the first half, it was a challenge for him because it was the first start in the XI, it is a long time from Sunderland where he played 60 minutes. Before Sunderland he didn’t play 60 minutes [under Corberan] or since. Physically he gave the right answer to the game, he was creating good possibilities to the team, I am very pleased to have him with us and I am pleased with his performance.”
Albion had won one of their previous five matches before Christmas, culminating in the 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, but they responded with successive home victories over Norwich City and Leeds United prior to their Swansea setback.
“When you have injuries, you suffer in football. When all of the injuries you have are in one part of the pitch then you have more of a challenge,” Corberan addedfootball. When all of the injuries you have are in one part of the pitch then you have more of a challenge,” Corberan added..
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