Express & Star

Ally Robertson: Chris Brunt brings creative class to West Brom

I've felt like a stuck record banging on about Chris Brunt this season, but he proved me right against Manchester United.

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Chris Brunt. (AMA)

In the first half, the quality of our deliveries into the box was abysmal, but when Brunty came on he created four chances in the space of 20 minutes that nearly turned the game in our favour.

We don't know what happens in training, and maybe he's not been completely match fit all season, but when he is, he should be one of the first names on the team-sheet.

Not only is he deadly from set-pieces, but he's got years of experience that make him calm on the ball in open play and gives him time to pick a pass.

Football is about breeding little partnerships on the pitch, and I reckon Brunt and Kieran Gibbs suit each other on the left flank.

Gibbs has got the pace that Brunt hasn't, and can overlap the Northern Irishman when he's keeping his foot on the ball.

Brunt has successfully filled in at full-back before, so when Gibbs does go charging up the pitch, he'll be capable of dropping back.

He was one of the catalysts for a vastly improved second half on Sunday, but the fightback turned out to be too little too late because Albion were already two-nil behind.

Considering the run the team is on, it's important that we start games on the front foot and impose ourselves on the opposition, regardless of who they are.

That is going to be hugely important at Stoke City this weekend, because they are in just as deep a rut as we are and the natives will get restless early on if they're team is struggling.

However, it's bound to be a tense and tetchy game, much like the Swansea one, and I doubt either team will come out and blow the other one away.

Albion desperately need a win, that barely needs saying, but the important thing is to not get beaten.

Although the league is congested, a defeat might open up a tiny gap between the Baggies and safety which would look cavernous to players low on confidence.

There are quite a few players due back from injury this weekend, so that could help.

If Craig Dawson and Matt Phillips are fit enough, I'd drop them both straight into the starting line-up.

Just like Gibbs and Brunt, they could form a partnership down that right-hand side.

Something needs to change, because it's been far too long since we've tasted victory.