Express & Star

West Brom comment: Time for Darren Moore to give Sam Field his chance

Darren Moore has a dilemma on his hands this week in the centre of midfield.

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Sam Field deserves a shot in his favoured position. (AMA)

Jake Livermore has started every league game so far this season and has only missed 28 minutes of action, but he’s suspended for tomorrow’s meeting with Derby County after seeing red at Wigan.

Gareth Barry missed that match with a niggling injury and is also a doubt for the midweek clash with Frank Lampard’s men.

Which means Moore may have to delve into his squad to find a midfield partner for club captain Chris Brunt.

There are four realistic options at his disposal – James Morrison, Wes Hoolahan, Sam Field and Rekeem Harper.

Hoolahan has impressed off the bench since his arrival, but the 36-year-old is more comfortable behind the strikers in the No.10 role occupied by Harvey Barnes.

Moore is a well-known admirer of Morrison, and convinced the board to hand him a new contract in the summer.

Albion’s longest-serving player is capable in central midfield, although – like Hoolahan – he is more adept further forward.

Which leaves the two academy graduates, Sam Field, 20, and Rekeem Harper, 18.

Although Moore has preferred Harper in midfield in all three Carabao Cup outings, Field was asked to fill a hole at the back in those games and unlike Harper, has been used off the bench in the league this season.

Harper is a talented boy with a bright future, but at this early stage of his career he appears to be a more box-to-box man.

Field, on the other hand, naturally sits at the base of midfield and recycles the ball in a way more in tune with a three-man midfield.

The opposition should also be taken into account. Lampard has built his team around Mason Mount, the 19-year-old Chelsea loanee who plays No.10.

Whoever replaces Livermore will need to keep pace with the teenager recently called up to the England senior squad.

Brunt is 33 now, so pairing him with Morrison, 32, Hoolahan, 36, or even Barry, 37, if he’s available, may be unwise.

Albion need legs next to Brunt, particularly after the battle at the DW Stadium, and Field will be desperate to take his chance.

The young midfielder barely put a foot wrong last season, but was misused by successive managers and denied loan spells away.

A victim of his own success, he became too valuable to lose having got so close to the first team.

Considering how well he played in such a dreadful campaign, it’s remarkable that he’s yet to start a game for Albion in central midfield this season, although he has played several times for England U20s.

Field deserves his chance to shine in his favoured position. This could, and should, be it.