Conor Townsend has come in for criticism from Birmingham Mail reporter Joseph Chapman following West Brom’s latest Championship defeat.
The pressure on Baggies boss Steve Bruce intensified on Wednesday night as the club fell to their third defeat in four matches at Deepdale.
Preston North End had scored just three goals in 11 league fixtures prior to last night’s game, but it only took them seven minutes to get on the scoresheet as Emil Riis turned home what proved to be the winner.
It leaves Bruce’s side – now winless in seven Championship games – in the relegation zone, and while the manager is under increasing scrutiny, Townsend was slammed for his role in Preston’s goal.
Chapman handed the defender a 3/10 match rating and justified it with the following comment:
“Nightmare start. Townsend allowed Riis to escape his attention and fire home, in between him and O’Shea. His supply line from the left was poor, particularly before half-time when he should’ve crossed or shot – he did neither and was tackled. Improved a little more in the second half.”
TIF Thoughts on Chapman’s comments…
Will West Brom be relegated?Yes
No
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Townsend has played every minute of the Baggies’ Championship games so far this season, but it was certainly an indifferent night for the 29-year-old and his teammates.
According to SofaScore, he lost possession 19 times – the fourth-most out of any Baggies player – and failed to make a single tackle.
He did, however, make three interceptions, second only to Jed Wallace in the Albion lineup and completed the highest number of passes (74), posting an 89% completion rate – so he was certainly kept busy.
Nevertheless, Townsend will know better than anyone else that he should have done more to prevent Riis’ strike.
Defence has been an area of concern for Bruce all season, with only two sides conceding more often, and if it is not corrected, the Hawthorns outfit could be in big trouble.