OPINION
Fans at West Brom have been treated to a spectacle of attacking football this season but there can be no doubting that their defence has been far from the required standard to make a convincing push for the Premier League.
Saturday saw the Baggies draw a blank for just the third time in their Championship campaign and it resulted in Darren Moore’s side leaving Hull City with nothing to show for their efforts, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat.
Their defence has actually been one of the worst in the second tier, having conceded 24 goals – more than anyone else in the top 16 sides – in their opening 16 fixtures, and it has been this lack of stopping power at the back which has cost them so dearly this season.
Moore will know that despite having spent money in summer on the likes of Kyle Bartley he needs to strengthen further in January – but just who do the Baggies target.
Well, someone with Premier League quality and Championship experience would be ideal, and if they had spent time in the midlands to know what is needed to be a success in the region it would be an added boost – so why not launch a raid for Newcastle United’s Ciaran Clark.
The Republic of Ireland international has fallen down the pecking order at St James’ Park with Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar all ahead of him, and with 160 top flight and 34 second tier appearances – not to mention a Championship title – under his belt, he would be the perfect figure to fill the void.
Yes, he might have links to Aston Villa but West Brom are the midlands side flying high this season and reuniting him with summer signing Dwight Gayle, who has been brilliant since his move from Tyneside, would give the Baggies Geordie quality at both ends of the pitch.
Clark is a cut above the current options at the Hawthorns, and he could be the missing link for Moore’s side.