OPINION
With Harvey Barnes returning to Leicester City earlier in the week West Brom are crying out for a new hero, and Rekeem Harper staked a pretty decent claim against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon. The 18-year-old was handed his first Championship start by Darren Moore against the Canaries, and looked bright throughout the 1-1 draw. A classic box-to-box midfielder, the academy graduate slipped effortlessly into the Baggies’ engine room, and aside from tiring a little towards the end, looked massively at home. Quite often when a side makes to drop down to the second tier they have to rely on their youth products to make up the numbers, and in this kind of sink or swim scenario, some real gems can be unearthed. Alongside Harper, the Baggies also gave a cameo appearance to 19-year-old Jonathan Leko, and will feel that they have two immensely promising young talents on their hands. The clash with the Canaries could have been a real baptism of fire for Harper, but he never looked out of his depth, and played an impressive part alongside the vastly experienced heads of Gareth Barry and Chris Brunt. Moore has built a good squad at the Hawthorns, well capable of promotion, and he will be hoping that a little bit of youth could be the spark needed to see them over the finish line.
This is Futbol have gathered some of the best tweets below:
Magical watching 18yr old Rekeem Harper, who will only improve…
Just so refeshing to see a box to box midfield player, fantastic atheticism, nous beyond his years, huge promise.. Massively important we get Harper signed…— Andy Caulton (@AndyfromNewHamp) January 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/tonilou___/status/1084117016171241472
Harper is a serious talent #wba
— Arry Gill (@ArryGill) January 12, 2019
Not the end of the world with a point. Holgate was good, but Harper was brilliant. Hope he gets an extended run in the team. Norwich do not look like a top two team. #WBA
— Brad Poole (@BradPoole31) January 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/caitlin_siviter/status/1084136880751497216
Harper was immense and I’d say fully deserving that midfield position was everywhere surley he can’t be dropped? Other than that we gave them a goal but it’s a point onto Bolton next #wba
— Jon Simonian (@_Simonian) January 12, 2019
We deserved nothing more than the 3 points today, lots of chances played well, Holgate balances the defence superb and so pleased for Harper getting his full debut in the league today he should be in the first XI for the rest of the campaign. 1 signing is all we need in Jan #wba
— Andy Warner (@warnerchief) January 12, 2019