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“Very gifted” prodigy must be handed an opportunity after West Brom ace’s struggles – opinion

West Bromwich Albion extended their unbeaten run to a 13th successive game and at the same time opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Championship table.

The Baggies were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford at the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon, meaning they pass the halfway mark of the season on 50 points.

Darnell Furlong’s glancing header on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Henrik Dalsgaard opener for the visitors, which was scored in a very similar fashion.

Slaven Bilic was without the enigmatic exploits of loanee Grady Diangana as he faces time on the sidelines through injury, so Kyle Edwards was handed the starting reigns.

On the Chalkboard

Although, the 21-year-old will need to do more if he’s to keep hold of his place in the absence of the West Ham youngster.

In the 78 minutes of action before he was hauled off by the Croatian, Edwards managed just one successful dribble from three attempts, failed to provide an accurate cross and lost possession 14 times, per SofaScore.

The academy graduate has been somewhat underwhelming this season when handed the opportunity, he’s only scored two goals and provided one assist in 19 appearances.

Edwards has also started two of Albion’s last three matches to no avail.

Maybe it is time that Bilic handed Chris Willock an opportunity considering he’s yet even to be named in the senior matchday squad since joining on loan from Benfica on deadline day.

The former Arsenal winger is doing everything asked of him in the academy, where he has bagged four goals and five assists, which already isn’t far off what Edwards has managed for the U23s in 41 matches.

Arsene Wenger once described Willock as a “very gifted player with natural strength and natural talent. He has what you do not find very easily.” 

Yet, he’s been able to feature for the west Midlanders this season.

There can’t be any harm in giving him a chance, particularly as Diangana isn’t due back until early January. The Baggies even face the possibility of losing him in January due to the lack of game time, so there’s probably not a better time to play him right now.

Meanwhile, West Brom fans have been talking about the possible exit of this sought-after defender…

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