'Direct and front-footed approach' - West Brom 16-year-old prodigy fires double to further enhance growing reputation
Albion under-21s are showing signs of a recovery in the second half of the season and made it back-to-back wins as they eye a late surge up Premier League 2.
Leigh Downing's youngsters made it two high-scoring home victories in a week with Monday night's 4-2 success over lowly side Derby County in Solihull.
It backed up a 3-2 win over Blackburn. The under-21s had occupied bottom spot in the 29-team PL2, but six points have lifted them up four places in the reckoning for premier academy outfits.
Spearheading the recent recovery has been a sprinkling of young talent from even further down the age groups and one of those to really catch the eye is 16-year-old attacker Remar McNeil.
McNeil fired two goals as the under-21s saw off the young Rams in Solihull to take his goal tally in recent weeks to three, with assists added for good measure.
Striker Eseosa Sule, 19, also fired a brace as the hosts recorded a comfortable and deserved victory.
Downing's youngsters fell behind Owen Eames' opener for Derby but Sule equalised after good Torin Ntege work before half-time.
Tricky and pacy attacker McNeil then took centre stage on the hour for the Baggies.
The Dudley-born attacker, capable of playing wide or centrally behind a striker, skillfully checked inside a defender and found the corner with pinpoint accuracy from distance.
McNeil, not 17 until May, extended the lead to 3-1 just three minutes later as he showed fine strength for his diminutive figure to outmuscle Rams defender Raymond Offor before converting at the near post.
Sule netted a fourth via a simple tap-in after impressive work from Souleyman Mandey.
Attacker Jack Bray made his return from injury for the hosts and there was also a start for right-back Alex Williams, 21, who has been tipped for more involvement on senior duty.
McNeil, who has been with the Baggies youth ranks since the age of seven, caught the eye at under-18s level as a 15-year-old last term and only made his under-21s debut in December. He bagged his first goal at the age level in January's PL Cup progression over QPR.
Hot recent form has led to a regular run in the side under Downing - who has also been helping at first-team level in support of James Morrison after Eric Ramsay's sacking.
McNeil also laid on two assists in a brave 4-3 defeat at Liverpool two weeks ago.
The Black Country teen hails from Cradley Heath and played grassroots football with PS Olympic before he joined Albion aged seven while catching the eye for the club's affiliate outfit West Brom All Stars.
McNeil said: "I'm buzzing, especially to get two goals as well, it was good for the team to get another win.
"We started really good and carried it on. There were tough moments but we stuck at it.
"I've stepped up to the under-21s and I feel like I've dealt with it, especially physically.
"I've just kept going, kept at it and stayed positive.
"The coaches are happy, Leigh and Chay (Thompson, under-18s boss), I'm grateful for the opportunity and hopefully we can carry on and keep getting wins."
McNeil is part of an exciting crop of next generation aged 16 and 17 at The Hawthorns who club insiders are hopeful will be able to stamp their authority as regulars at under-21 level next term.
Also among them are full-backs Alfie Maughan and Adam Letlat, centre-back Noah DuPont, midfielders Ryan Colesby and Matty Crowther and attacking midfielder Rio Parmar.
Downing's under-21s are next in action away at Ipswich on Friday night and welcome Birmingham City to Solihull on Friday week.
Albion u21s v Derby: Moses; Williams, DuPont, Diomande (Abudu, 64), Maughan (Nelson, 79); Mfuamba, Colesby (French, 79), Mandey; Ntege (Bray, 79), Sule (Ranger, 85), McNeil.
