OPINION
Darren Moore must axe Hal Robson-Kanu if he wants to name his best possible starting line-up in West Brom’s match against Bolton at the Macron Stadium on Monday night.
The 29-year-old was woeful in the 1-1 draw with Norwich last time out and now that Matt Phillips could be back to full fitness [BBC Sport], the Wales international should be dropped so that Moore can name a team that would destroy the Trotters.
Wes Hoolahan should also return to the side so that Chris Brunt can drop out.
Albion could do with Hoolahan’s creativity, something that was seriously lacking in their last outing.
One player who did stand out in the draw with the Canaries was teenage sensation Rekeem Harper. The 18-year-old must start at all costs for the trip to Bolton on Monday.
Sam Johnstone must start in goals with Mason Holgate, Craig Dawson, Ahmed Hegazi and Kieran Gibbs starting in the four-man defence ahead of him.
Gareth Barry is the ideal central midfield partner for Harper while Jake Livermore is still suspended, so the ex-Aston Villa star should remain in the starting line-up.
Hoolahan has the ability to unlock defences, something which the Baggies are going to miss now that Harvey Barnes is back at Leicester, so the former Norwich playmaker is a no-brainer to start in the No 10 role.
Phillips should start on the right-wing with Rodriguez on the left and Dwight Gayle up front.
That attack should be able to blow Bolton’s defence to pieces and see Albion close down the gap between themselves and the top two to just three points.