West Brom player ratings vs Cardiff City as a new striker goes from a want to a need

Defensively sound but fragile in attack.
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West Bromwich Albion made it four Championship games without a victory to start their 2022/23 campaign as they drew 0-0 with Cardiff City.

The Baggies bossed the majority of the possession on Wednesday evening whilst never looking in any real danger at the back but their lack-of fire-power up front once again proved to be their achilles heel.

Conor Townsend of West Bromwich Albion is challenged by Jaden Philogene-Bidace of Cardiff City during the Sky Bet Championship between West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City at The HawthornsConor Townsend of West Bromwich Albion is challenged by Jaden Philogene-Bidace of Cardiff City during the Sky Bet Championship between West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City at The Hawthorns
Conor Townsend of West Bromwich Albion is challenged by Jaden Philogene-Bidace of Cardiff City during the Sky Bet Championship between West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City at The Hawthorns
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Albion boasted 13 shots but aside from a header in stoppage time from Semi Ajayi, never got close to looking like beating Ryan Allsop in the Cardiff goal.

It was apparent before the contest that West Brom could do with another man in the forward areas following the injury to Daryl Dike but that want has now turned into a need.

Here’s our player ratings from Wednesday evening’s game.

David Button - 6

Had little to do all night. Cardiff had a couple of good chances but both were off target.

Darnell Furlong - 7

Clean-sheet to his name but offered little going forward.

Semi Ajayi - 8*

Man-of-the-match for his all round performance. Kept a clean sheet and looked the most likely to score - though that should never be the case.

Dara O’Shea - 7

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Comfortable on the ball and dealt with everything at the back. One or two stray passes but did his main job which was keep a clean sheet.

Conor Townsend - 7

Edged the two full-backs performance wise but ultimately like Furlong, gets a mark up for a clean-sheet.

Okay Yokuslu - 6

Had a real good first-half but got progressively worse in the second. Down to fitness levels more than anything. Was man-of-the-match up until around 60 minutes.

Jake Livermore - 6

Played better than in recent weeks but was replaced at half-time due to him being on a booking.

Jed Wallace - 6

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Largely ineffective but still don’t believe taking him off was the right move.

John Swift - 6

Bent one over in the second-half which happened to be on Albion’s best chances. Like Wallace, largely ineffective on the night but don’t agree with the substitution.

Grady Diangana - 6

Not as impressive as he was the weekend just gone but still offered a bit of something going forward.

Karlan Grant - 5

Struggled up top. Had a couple opportunities that went abegging due to his touch letting him down. Pulled out a chance with the goalkeeper in the first-half which is a complete no go from a supporter’s point of view.

Subs

Jayson Molumby - 5

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Brought on for Livermore at half-time due to the captain being booked but then received a yellow card himself within 10 minutes. Lucky not to be sent off.

Matt Phillips - 6

OK when he came on.

Callum Robinson - 7

Played well when he came on and nearly got himself an assist for a winning goal but for Allsop denying Ajayi.

Adam Reach - N/A

Brought on in the final five minutes.

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