Carlos Corberan is known as a manager who prioritises tough defensive displays above free-flowing attacking football, and this has been the case at West Bromwich Albion this season.
The Baggies have only conceded nine goals all season, but it has come at a cost in terms of entertainment at the Hawthorns, with Corberan’s team scoring only two goals in front of their home crowd.
Still, it’s admirable how tenacious the West Midlands side has been in such a difficult competition, especially with their recent injury issue at the back.
West Brom’s injury crisis
Corberan’s large list of injuries illustrates how many defenders are currently in the Baggies’ treatment room, with Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi being long-term absentees.
Bartley, in particular, has been a significant loss, as the 33-year-old has been a defensive rock for his team for many seasons, keeping five clean sheets in ten Championship games this season before injury struck.
Paddy McNair is also unavailable as a backup option, having been loaned out by Manchester United this summer to provide cover, only to suffer an injury two games into his time at the Hawthorns.
Fortunately, other newcomers, such as Torbjorn Heggem, have stepped up to the plate at the back while others have suffered misfortune, with the Nordic defender appearing in every league game for the Baggies.
With the number of injuries mounting up, Corberan must lust for one former Albion player.
The ex-West Brom defender whose value is soaring
The player in question is Dara O’Shea, who developed in confidence while wearing a Baggies shirt as his time at the club progressed after rising through the youth ranks and becoming a regular starter.
During his final season with West Brom, he kept 14 clean sheets in 37 second-tier games while also contributing two goals and one assist as a well-rounded defender.
When the pair met, ex-Baggies manager Slaven Bilic described it as “unbelievable.” West Brom must have known that a higher-up bidder was likely to grab their indigenous talent away from them shortly.
Burnley, now a full international with the Republic of Ireland, lured him away from the Midlands for a cost of £7 million.
He would only play 39 games in Lancashire before being released, despite being a standout at Burnley, where he scored five goals and assisted four times, despite the team being relegated to the Championship during his only full season.
Ipswich Town would be his next destination, with Corberan & Co regretting themselves for not attempting to extract more compensation from Burnley, who had to spend a significant £15 million to secure his services over the summer.
O’Shea: Tottenham versus Ipswich
Minutes played
90
Goals scored.
0
Assists
0
Touches
39
Accurate passes.
16/23 (70%)
Clearances
9
Blocked shots
3
Total tackles
2
Total duels won.
5/9
The indicators are clearly there that O’Shea might develop into a reliable ace for McKenna’s men in the premier league, with an impressive five duels won last time out to help his underdog team pull off a surprise 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
While the 25-year-old enjoys the top flight, Corberan’s team will have to work hard to make their own promotion ambitions a reality, regardless of any injury issues.
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