da premier bet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
da doce： West Brom currently sit top of the Championship going into October’s international break and despite their unbeaten run ending at the hands of Leeds United, they hit back with a 4-2 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday.
The major positives to come from the match were Charlie Austin and Romaine Sawyers grabbing their first goals for the club, and the character shown by the squad to put the midweek result behind them.
Electric loan duo Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana continued their rich vein of form with two delightful strikes from long-range, which anything only epitomised how well they are performing at the minute.
Now, there doesn’t appear to be much going wrong up in the west Midlands – yes, they could keep more clean sheets, but they’re top of the league so you can’t moan too much.
Though, what if an injury were to happen to Jake Livermore, or maybe Sawyers? They have both started every single Championship game on offer so far this campaign, so it is clear to see they are huge to West Brom’s success.
In terms of other options in the role, it’s quite slim pickings.
Promising starlet Rekeem Harper has managed just six minutes of league action and hasn’t even been named in the matchday squad for nine straight games now.
Semi Ajayi can play an anchorman-type role, but he’s been so outstanding at centre-back, you probably wouldn’t want to make that decision.
Therefore it would be wise to find someone that can fill in when needed.
Manager Slaven Bilic revealed a few weeks ago that Gareth Barry is nearing a return, and he expects the 38-year-old to sign a deal at the Hawthorns.
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In a team full of exciting pace, flair and tenacity, some may feel that the veteran isn’t required, though don’t disregard the impact he could have on this side just yet.
Not only would he become a completely viable back up in central midfield, but the Premier League winner would also add experience that they maybe lack currently – the sort that could pull them over the line later in the year or provide that titbit of nous that pulls them out of the mire when things hit the pan.
Barry is also already setting an example to the youngsters around the club, something that Bilic has acknowledged: “I am often in the gym so I see him every day doing that boring stuff and he is a great example for a young player.
“It’s a brilliant example for a young player to see him on a daily basis, a player like that who has done everything in his life and his professional career.
That’s exactly the sort of figure you want around your club when mounting a serious challenge for promotion.