OPINION
West Brom might have been heralded as one of the most fearsome attacking lineups in the Championship this season but you can be sure that the 1-0 win over Stoke City on Saturday would have been just as enjoyable for the Baggies faithful.
Aside from the three points, it provided those at the Hawthorns with just their fifth clean sheet in the league this season, four of those coming in their last eight outings against their league rivals.
It is no coincidence that Ahmed Hegazi and Craig Dawson have been lining up alongside one another during this recent run of defensive form and the Egyptian seems completely happy playing alongside his experienced counterpart with an honest verdict.
He told the Express and Star: “I feel very comfortable when Craig and I play together.
“We have carried on from last season and Craig has been good for me with his experience of the team and the club over seven seasons now. He has helped me a lot and that has helped us play well together.”
Confidence and compatibility is vital for a centre back pairing and it seems as though Darren Moore just has a pair who click together quite nicely – but Hegazi’s verdict spells trouble for giant teammate Kyle Bartley.
The 6’4″ colossus (source: Transfermarkt) was brought in as a big name signing over the summer but looks to have failed to impress not only the fans, who have often been less than impressed with what they have seen, but his teammates too.
To have Hegazi speaking about how he and Dawson work together so well means that Moore will most certainly be less likely to swing the axe should one dip in form, with the faith that keeping the pair together should see them rediscover their spark.
Bartley has not done enough to keep a place in the side and so Hegazi is just nailing his coffin that little bit further closed with his comments.