Sky Sports pundit Stephen Warnock has named a surprise duo who he believes are crucial to the potency of the West Brom attack this season, heralding the “sensational” Harvey Barnes for his impact up top.
The Baggies are by far and away the top scorers in the Championship with 52 goals in their 24 games, Aston Villa six strikes behind them in the goal scoring table, and their impressive displays up top see them sit third in the second tier.
However, rather than heralding the likes of Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez, Warnock chose to pick out midfield pair Gareth Barry and Jake Livermore for their experience in the centre and insists they are pivotal to how things are going up front.
He told Sky Sports News’ Football Centre (27/12, 11:25): “You throw into it Harvey Barnes on loan from Leicester, a sensational signing for them ,so important to the way they play.
“They sort of fell on this formation, 4-3-3 and they weren’t sure sure it would work or not, when you’ve got the experience behind them, the likes of Gareth Barry and Jake Livermore, it’s so important for those players to thrive.”
Opinion
It has certainly been a case of the likes of Barnes, Gayle and Rodriguez picking up all the plaudits this season but Warnock is absolutely right to recognise the team effort going on at the Hawthorns. Barry and Livermore are two of the more experienced heads among that squad and having that know how sitting behind the front three means there is a definite balance in the side. Really though, it has been the men up top who have stolen the limelight and Warnock is also correct in picking out Barnes for his brilliant performances which help not only himself but the other two attackers dazzle. He really is a cut above the Championship and Darren Moore pulled off a blinder by getting him through the door in the summer. If he can continue to shine so brightly then the Baggies should have no trouble whatsoever in putting their rivals to the sword and in doing so push their way into a battle for automatic promotion. It will not be easy, but when you can blitz away most of the division with your attacking talents, they are certainly in with a chance.