Sam Field hopes 'special' goal kick-starts his season for West Brom
Sam Field hopes his ‘special’ goal against Bolton Wanderers can kick-start his season for Albion.
It was hoped the 20-year-old might enjoy a breakout campaign for the Baggies following relegation, but he has found minutes hard to come by, and has started just once in the Championship so far.
He has been shunted down the pecking order thanks to new roles for Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt as well as the emergence of fellow academy product Rekeem Harper.
But an injury crisis in central midfield deepened on Monday night when Brunt pulled up with a calf strain.
Lifelong Albion fan Field was sent on in the first half and grabbed his chance, poking in his second goal for the club 15 minutes from time to give the Baggies breathing space in their 2-0 win over Wanderers.
“I’m delighted,” Field told BBC WM. “Just to be back on the pitch was the main thing. Scoring was an added bonus. It’s something I’ll remember.
“Being a boy from the area and supporting them all my life it was special. Hopefully I can get a few more over the course of the season.
“I love my football and just want to play. That will hopefully kick-start my season and get us into a promotion push. If I can be involved in that then brilliant.”
Field would be forgiven for feeling frustrated after being one of the few shining lights during last season, but he’s aware how fiercely contested his position is.
“I’m still a baby in football terms, I’m still only 20,” he said. “I get to play with the likes of Gareth Barry, which is a joy for me. He’s got 17 years on me, he made his debut when I was born so that says a lot.
“He just oozes class. I might not have been playing a lot this season but there’s so much to learn from him. I won’t forget playing with him. I’ll just take my chances when it comes and hopefully there’s more to come.”
Field is expected to keep his place in the line-up for this weekend’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, and the midfield injury crisis has cast doubt over a potential loan move away in January.
But for now, he’s just enjoying his second goal for the club.
“I didn’t expect myself to get there to be honest but I did,” he said. “And then it was just toepoke and hope.
“It went under the keeper and when it was rolling in I knew straight away. It was a great feeling and hopefully I can do that more this season.”
Darren Moore said: “Sam’s goal meant a lot to him because he eats, sleeps and breathes this football club.
“That will have been a special moment for him and his family.”
