West Brom player ratings vs Preston North End: A relegation fodder performance from the promotion hopefuls

West Bromwich Albion put in a truly dismal display as they lost 2-0 to Preston North End on Wednesday evening.

Emil Riis Jakobsen put the visitors in front when he finished off a lovely Preston move before substitute and Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer rubbed salt in the Baggies wounds by heading home on his debut late in the second-half.

A win for West Brom would have seen them close the gap on the Championship’s top two to three points and yet even with that carrot hanging above them, they put in a performance reminiscent of a side that had accepted relegation.

There was no creativity, no desire. A complete lack of identity from a side that, on paper at least, has the personnel to be breezing past Preston.

The visitors outfought Albion and thoroughly deserved their three points.

Not one player from a West Brom perspective comes out of that game with any credit and that’s the sad reality.

Here’s our scores on the doors and they aren’t pretty...

David Button - 4

Had a couple of real rash moments where he got an evident rush of blood to the head. Didn’t do himself any favours in proving he’s a decent replacement for Sam Johnstone but can’t really be blamed for either goal.

Darnell Furlong - 5.5*

Probably the liveliest player on the pitch but you know you’re in trouble when a 5.5/10 is getting my man-of-the-match.

Cedric Kipre - 4

Was given the boot at half-time but he was no worse than any other player on the pitch in the opening 45, in fact he was probably slightly better.

Kyle Bartley - 4

Bullied all night by North End’s front-line. Ched Evans in particular had a field day with the back four.

Conor Townsend - 4

Usually Mr. Reliable but the only thing he was reliable with on the night was being as reliably poor as the rest.

Alex Mowatt - 5

Ran about a lot. Did actually seem to be trying more than most.

Adam Reach - 5

As above.

Jake Livermore - 4.5

Replaced by Molumby on 72 minutes but like the other midfielders at least seemed to try and work. Providing any quality on the other hand is a complete different story.

Grady Diangana - 5

The inconsistency that Ismael has spoken of came out to play once again. Did look the most likely out of the front three but that isn’t saying much.

Karlan Grant - 4

Anonymous.

Matt Phillips - 4

Should have scored early in the second-half. Faffed about on the ball too much. Least he got near the 18-yard box, I guess.

Subs:

Taylor Gardner-Hickman - 4

Don’t remember him touching the ball. That’s not a criticism of TGH though. A lot to ask of a youngster to come on at half-time and change the fortunes of the side.

Callum Robinson - 5

Got about a bit. Was supplied with little to nothing from those supporting him. Still waiting for the same Callum Robinson that plays for Republic of Ireland to join West Brom, though.

Jayson Molumby - N/A

Came on for the final 15 minutes. Probably better not to be rated at this point.

West Brom (4-3-3): Button; Furlong, Kipre (45’ Gardner-Hickman), Bartley, Townsend; Mowatt, Reach, Livermore (72’ Molumby); Diangana, Grant, Phillips (56’ Robinson)

Subs not used: Palmer, Clarke, Fellows, Faal

Preston North End (3-4-1-2): Iversen; Van den Berg, Bauer, Hughes; Potts, Whiteman, Browne, Cunningham; Ledson (83’ McCann); Jakobsen (64’ Archer), Evans (73’ Maguire)

Subs not used: Rafferty, Ripley, Sinclair, Lindsay

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