Albion manager Tony Mowbray today paid tribute to the “driving force” of defender Carl Hoefkens.
But Mowbray called on Hoefkens to continue improving following his summer arrival from Stoke.
“I think Carl went through a period of adapting to a different style of play that was being asked of him,” said Mowbray.
“But he has taken that burden on with relish. It’s an area I would like to add competition in.
“He has played nearly every game and there are times when I look at Carl and his performance level is very high.
“I think in the last two games he has been a driving force for the team, almost playing as a right winger and getting into some fabulous positions.
“There are other times, particularly away from home, where he has to understand his role better, and I have spoken to him about that.”
3 Comments
That Tony Mowbray is never happy is he - even when Hoef puts in a good shift ol’ TM still wants more….
Anyone would think we were building a great team the way he goes on.
Any more of this and I’m sure Carl’s mom will be walking out in disgust (see wolves pages if you don’t get that one).
Gotta love TM - no hysterics - just calmly builds the skills and confidence of his players.
LOVIN IT !!
I think this is a barbed comment from TM. Hoefkens has gone missing in too many games and I think is a weak link. I shelled out to go to Stoke where he was pathetic - a bad purchase in my view.
For many years my ‘other hobby’ besides Baggies was amateur dramatics, (I could have cast the whole of Stoke’s team in Oklahoma!). What never ceased to amaze me was how raw talent, even amateur, developed into crowd pleasers if they really worked at it. Walsall Tech. in particular was a diamond mine for student and staff talent. The most important factor though is confidence because when you’re on your own out there, under the lights, the crowd all buoyed up expectantly, your Mom can’t help you! Same as footballers really ain’t it?