OPINION
Darren Moore would be insane to axe Rekeem Harper for West Brom’s clash with QPR on Saturday after a midfield masterclass in the 1-0 win against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Harper, 18, was in stunning form as he helped the Baggies book themselves a spot in the second round of the competition, courtesy of Oliver Burke’s first goal for the Black Country club in the second half.
It was an experimental side put out by Moore. He switched up his formation to utilise a three-man defence which included midfielder-by-trade Sam Field and blooded several other academy graduates including the ever-impressive Harper.
The Birmingham-born midfielder bossed the centre of the park much better than Chris Brunt has done in his three Championship appearances to date and there is now a solid case for the 18-year-old to hang on to his spot in the starting line-up.
No one is seriously going to be expecting Moore to start Harper against QPR at The Hawthorns this weekend, but why not?
Albion’s midfield has been dreadful and easily bypassed in their opening games of the campaign and Harper is a double-edged sword that is both good on the ball and off it.
QPR are not the best of teams and it would be the perfect chance for Moore to give the young player another chance to impress, but this time under a lot more pressure.
In his single Premier League appearance against Bournemouth last season, Harper managed to help the Baggies hang on to a 1-0 win as a second-half substitute.
It will be a new test for him to start a league game that the Baggies faithful are expecting to win but if Harper wants to be a success at The Hawthorns, then he must stand up and make a name for himself in these occasions.