Express & Star

Former academy midfielder disappointed at lack of first team minutes with West Brom

Former academy midfielder Alex Bradley has bemoaned his lack of first team chances at the Baggies.

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Alex Bradley. (AMA)

Bradley was released this summer after spending part of last season on loan at Havant & Waterlooville.

The 20-year-old, who spent 13 years at Albion, told the Worcester News other academy players were given a chance despite having poorer attitudes.

“It didn’t really matter how well you trained or performed they were just saying that you need to keep playing well and your chance will come,” said Bradley. “But I don’t think that was the case.

“For some players as much effort as they put in they are just cast aside and for some of the young players at West Brom that is how it was for us.

“There were two or three there that were given chances when their attitude was not better than anyone else’s. If anything, it was probably worse.

“But they were given a chance because the club wanted to give them a chance.

“It became a bit stale for me as I was just training with the under 23s and going out on loan. It just got stagnant.”

Bradley had high hopes for last season after heading on Darren Moore's pre-season tour to Portugal, but his chances never materialised.

"Whenever I played for the under 23s I gave it my all like I did in every game,” he added.

“But I just didn’t get the chance in the first team that I thought I maybe deserved.

“I was told to move on and search for first-team football somewhere else.

“I do look back at my time at West Brom with fond memories but I do think that it was definitely time for me to leave.

“I got stale in the last year or two and I was not really progressing as much as I could have been.

“I am glad I am out of there.

“Not to sound harsh or say a bad word about the club but it was time for me to move on.”