Brunt pinpoints Albion’s lynchpins
Thursday 29th April 2010, 11:34AM BST.
Albion winger Chris Brunt has pinpointed Youssouf Mulumbu and Gonzalo Jara as potential lynchpins in the Premier League campaign next season.
The wide man believes the defensive midfield pair could be key to the Baggies’ chances of staying in the top flight, after both played big roles in helping the club win promotion.
Mulumbu has been a regular selection in a holding position, while Jara has also deputised in that role as well as playing in defence.
Their team-mate on the wing reckons both could have big parts to play, as the Baggies look to survive Roberto Di Matteo’s first season as a top-flight boss.
Brunt said: “We’re not going to have a lot of the ball in the Premier League next season like we did in the Championship.
“So people like Youssouf and Gonzalo and the back four are going to be vital to us. If we can be solid as a team next season, it gives would give us something to build on.
“If we don’t concede goals at one end, then we’ve got the players to create something out of nothing at the other, which gives us a chance of winning games.”
Midfield playmaker Graham Dorrans, who was this week the subject of a failed £4million bid from West Ham, is seen by most as crucial to Albion’s hopes in the top division.
But Brunt believes Mulumbu and Jara could be equally important in allowing Dorrans to display his attacking talents.
The winger said: “’Graham has had a great season and everyone saw the quality he had at the back end of last season in the Premier League.
“He’s going to be a big player for us because a lot of our play goes through him.
“But you can’t take anything away from players such as Youssouf and Gonzalo playing that sort of defensive midfield role alongside him for a lot of the season as well.
“They have been magnificent as well, so it’s hard to pick out individuals because I’d say this season has been much more of a team effort, rather than relying on Kevin Phillips to bang in 25 goals.”
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
