West Brom goalkeeper Jonathan Bond given licence to thrill

Bond arrived without much fanfare in the summer on a free transfer from Reading, but has impressed with back-to-back clean sheets in the FA Cup.

The 25-year-old has already leapfrogged Boaz Myhill in the pecking order and is expected to play against Brighton in tonight’s fourth round replay at The Hawthorns after his man of the match performance in the original tie.

Head coach Darren Moore, who wants competition for places in all areas, isn’t surprised by Bond’s form.

“No I’m not, because in training I get to see that on a day to day basis,” said Moore. “I’ve watched Bondy grow in stature and perform heroics in training.

“He’s had to be patient for his opportunity but we have four keepers here. We’re in good hands.

“The way I see it, all four of them are competing for No.1. There’s not a one, two, three, four.

“Even though they are supportive of one another they are competing against one another. That’s how I want it.

“Bondy has performed very well in both games. Long may it continue.”

Johnstone was signed from Manchester United in the summer for £6.5milllion rising to a possible £10m, and has played every minute in the league this season.

Moore is glad the goalkeeping department, which is now run by Gary Walsh, is providing competition to Johnstone.

“Even Boaz, he’s pushing them both,” said Moore. “They’re relatively young keepers and Bo’s got all that experience.

“We want that competition at the club, even though you may get in the team, you’re expected to perform at a level to keep hold of your jersey.

“I liked that as a player, the knowledge I had to perform consistently each week. If you relinquish the jersey you might not see it back for a few weeks.”

A former Watford and Reading keeper, Bond has also represented England at under-21 level.

“I’ve settled in and I’m really happy here,” said the 25-year-old. “It is just one of those things where you have to wait for your opportunity.

“You have to train right, get your preparation right but it’s out of your control how an opportunity comes to you. It doesn’t matter what the other guys are doing.

“You train right and try to make sure that when a chance comes you are ready to take it. There is nothing nasty in the goalkeepers’ union.”

With plenty of Premier League clubs already out, this year’s FA Cup is one of the most open in years and if Albion get past Brighton tonight, they will host Championship rivals Derby County in the fifth round.

But Bond said: “We’ve still got to get past a strong Premier League team to get to a fifth round game which would hardly be called a rollover. So it’s still a very difficult path.

“You never know how these things turn out with a couple of good performances. We’ll see how things pan out.

“There’s been quite a lot of surprises in this season’s competition already and everyone talks about the magic of the Cup. It seems to still be there.”