Squad goals impressing West Brom skipper Jake Livermore
Jake Livermore has hailed the strength of Albion’s squad after Hal Robson-Kanu and Conor Townsend both seized their chance to impress.
Townsend came into the side after Nathan Ferguson was sent off against Charlton – with the former Scunthorpe man having since gone on to put in eye-catching displays against Stoke and Hull.
Robson-Kanu, meanwhile, has been in devastating form off the bench all season – with the striker again impressing when he was given his second start of the campaign against the Tigers.
And Livermore says you have to have that strength in depth if you are going to have any chance of winning promotion from the Championship.
“It is the club that goes up not the team,” Albion’s captain said. “It’s not the starting XI, it’s the full squad. You have got to have that squad mentality.
“At some point, we will need everyone. Kanu is an example of that. He has had to bide his time, he’s come off the bench a few times – he’s been frustrated.
“But he’s started against Hull and was absolutely excellent. He led the line really well. Conor as well has been excellent. I have known him for years – the boy is excellent.
“Nathan Ferguson came in and did fantastically well. Sometimes you have to do that, you have to wait for your chance. Conor was patient but now I think he is really showing what he can do.”
Livermore first got to know Townsend when the duo were at Hull with the full-back having come through the youth ranks at the KCOM Stadium.
“I trained with him when he (Townsend) was young so I was delighted when he joined here,” the midfielder added. “Although we have got some good full-back options, I have always loved the way he plays.”
As well as impressing Livermore, Slaven Bilic has also been pleased with Townsend’s performances since he stepped into the side. “He is a very composed player,” Bilic said. “He doesn’t need a couple of games to get into a rhythm – he’s straight into it.
“That is why he is at West Brom.
“He’s very clever, very intelligent and he’s got a top left foot. I’m happy with him.”
Meanwhile, Livermore says his Albion team mates are helping to keep him young with the midfielder set to turn 30 tomorrow.
“It’s the big-three zero but I’ve not got any celebrations planned,” he said.
“We have got a great squad, they keep me young to be honest. We have got a good mix, a good blend.
“Seeing them silly sods every day keeps me young.”
