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…
West Bromwich Albion are gliding in the Championship under Slaven Bilic and their midweek result only goes to show that one thing is on their mind. Promotion.
The Baggies devoured Bristol City 4-1 at the Hawthorns to leapfrog Leeds United back into first place while also opening up a huge seven-point gap to the playoff zone.
A sublime quartet of goals flew in as even left-back Kieran Gibbs got in on the action with Matheus Pereira, Hal Robson-Kanu and Charlie Austin also getting on the scoresheet.
Bilic was able to welcome back a trio of suspended players and they all were granted starts – Nathan Ferguson replaced Darnell Furlong back in his natural right-back spot while Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore continued as if they were never gone in the heart of midfield.
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However, the Croatian’s bench was so strong that there couldn’t be a place for the long-serving Chris Brunt, who came off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
The recently re-signed Gareth Barry was preferred instead.
Perhaps a surprise move given the 38-year-old’s lack of game time since battling a career-threatening injury. Therefore, it speaks volumes on Brunt’s potential future in the west Midlands.
According to Transfermarkt, the stalwart’s contract is set to expire in the summer so the possibility that this is his last season in the blue and white stripes is becoming an increasing possibility.
The 34-year-old has made 415 appearances for the Baggies after joining the club in the summer of 2007 from the Owls.
Brunt has struggled for game time this season, playing just 22 minutes in the league, over the perennial figures of Livermore and Sawyers – when they were both suspended, Filip Krovinovic and Semi Ajayi were handed starts in the engine room instead of him.
These decisions only show Bilic’s attitude towards him, he was an inherited player rather than someone that he wanted to sign after all.
Time is surely running out for the Albion legend, who has always been adored by the fans.
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In other news, another Bilic tactical decision has hopefully been chalked off his playbook after last weekend’s performance…
