Former West Brom striker Geoff Horsfield has backed on-loan attacker Dwight Gayle to have a big influence at the Hawthorns this season ahead of their derby showdown with Birmingham City.
He believes that the 27-year-old hitman is capable of scoring as many as 20 to 25 goals in this campaign, which he thinks will keep the Baggies at the top end of the table and in contention for promotion.
Horsfield singled out Gayle in his praise of the team, but added that they have also got sufficient experience in the shapes of James Morrison and Chris Brunt in the midfield.
He also praised current boss Darren Moore, hitting back at those who have criticised whether he was suitable for the top job.
“[West Brom] started a bit slow but they have got a fantastic signing in Gayle – I think he is a 20-25 goal a season man and that will get them up there, it really will,” he told Birmingham Live.
“They have got the experience with James Morrison and [Chris] Brunty down there and they have got the parachute payments so they can invest wisely and I think Darren will do that.
“I think the results when he took over were phenomenal and I couldn’t see why people were even thinking he is not good enough for the job. The results that he got were unbelievable for the rest of last season.”
OPINION
Gayle is certainly a shrewd signing for West Brom, and there is no doubt that he will make a massive impact this season. As Horsfield points out, Gayle is more than capable of achieving 20 to 25 goals this term – and he could be the player that defines their season. Moore is undoubtedly hoping to bring the team back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and Gayle is certainly a player who will contribute largely towards that. They may have seen Salomon Rondon go on loan to Newcastle, but West Brom have definitely got the better end of the deal. He has already proved that he can score the goals, whereas Rondon is yet to grab one for the Magpies. Gayle will only get better and better as the year progresses, and there is no doubt that West Brom will remain in the promotion battle for the rest of the season. Also, he is right to heap praise on the midfield duo, as well as Moore – they are definitely figures who will prove to be incredibly important to the Baggies’ cause this season.