West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael admitted a lack of firepower is costing his team after the 10-man Baggies drew 0-0 against Nottingham Forest at The Hawthorns.Albion, who had Jayson Molumby sent off in the 71st minute, created four big chances but failed to break the deadlock and have only won one of their last six games.“We are really strong defensively but our issue at the minute is ...Full Story »

West Brom boss Valerien Ismael wants his side to show more composure in the opposition box after they were held to an entertaining 0-0 draw by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.The hosts soaked up a barrage of pressure as the promotion-chasing Baggies came close to breaking the deadlock through substitutes Callum Robinson and Jordan Hugill.Blackpool goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw also denied Matt Clarke ...Full Story »

Xavier Amaechi could make his Bolton debut in Friday’s League One home clash with basement boys Crewe.The winger, signed on loan from Hamburg over the summer, has been recovering from a fractured metatarsal suffered in pre-season and is set to be included in the Wanderers matchday squad for the first time.Josh Sheehan is available again after missing Sunday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Sto...Full Story »

West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael accused opponents Hull of being ‘fake’ after a dominant 1-0 win at The Hawthorns.Karlan Grant’s 69th-minute strike was ultimately all that separated the teams but Ismael felt Hull set out to spoil the game.“It was a difficult game, as we expected,” he said. “But the opponent came here to waste time, with so many fake injuri...Full Story »

Leicester City should prepare themselves for a fight over midfielder Youri Tielemans. The playmaker’s contract at the King Power Stadium is set to expire in 2023 and following what has been a hugely impressive rise, the Belgium international is now understood to be a target for several top European clubs. That’s according to a recent report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, who c...Full Story »

West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael admitted it was challenging coping with four delays in their comfortable 3-0 win over Bristol City at The Hawthorns.Jordan Hugill, Kyle Bartley and Karlan Grant punished woeful defending but delays – two for medical emergencies after a fan from each team was carried away in unrelated incidents and two for injuries to players on the pitch – cast a ...Full Story »

Considered one of England's brightest prospects, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is reportedly set to be rewarded by way of a bumper new club contract. That's according to a recent report from Goal, who claims Chelsea's hierarchy are preparing to make the attacking midfielder one of the club's highest-paid players. Since forcing his way into the side's first team in 2019, following a hugely s...Full Story »

West Brom boss Valerien Ismael believes Karlan Grant is finally showing why the club splashed out £15million on him. The striker’s second-half drive earned a 1-0 win over Birmingham and sent Albion back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship on Friday. He marked the one-year anniversary of his move to The Hawthorns with his fourth goal in four games. Grant scored just once after ...Full Story »

Valerien Ismael hailed his West Brom table-toppers after they secured a thumping 4-0 win at Cardiff to provide him with the perfect birthday present.Ismael marked his 46th birthday in style as West Brom retained their unbeaten Sky Bet Championship record and took top spot from Bournemouth.Karlan Grant, Alex Mowatt and Matt Phillips were all on target, while Cardiff defender Curtis Nelson added t...Full Story »

Crewe manager David Artell praised “penalty maestro” Chris Porter as his side pulled off a late smash-and-grab to draw 1-1 at Rotherham.Veteran striker Porter struck a late leveller from the spot after being felled by Wes Harding, who was shown a second yellow card for the foul.Ollie Rathbone struck the game’s opener as he bravely charged down a clearance from Donervon Daniels ...Full Story »

West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael admitted he changed his tactics to try to fool the opposition as his side came from behind to beat QPR 2-1 and go top of the Sky Bet Championship.Albion played more of a possession game after crafting a reputation for a more uncompromising style of football under Ismael so far.Karlan Grant scored twice – the equaliser 15 minutes from time a real howler ...Full Story »

Valerien Ismael believes his stuttering West Brom need to develop a ‘killer instinct’ as the promotion-chasing Baggies were held to a third consecutive Championship draw at Preston.Ben Whiteman had hauled Frankie McEvoy’s side into a first-half lead before Scotland star Matty Phillips’ strike earned a point for the visitors just before the break.West Brom have now drawn t...Full Story »

Head coach Valerien Ismael criticised West Brom’s defending despite them regaining top spot in the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-1 draw against Millwall at The Hawthorns.Kyle Bartley’s 49th-minute header was cancelled out by on-loan Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard’s aerial effort six minutes later to end Albion’s four-match winning league run on a day when previous leader...Full Story »

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson hit out at West Brom counterpart Valerien Ismael following a stormy end to their Championship clash.The Baggies continued their unbeaten start to the league campaign thanks to a last-gasp Semi Ajayi strike that broke the hearts of their hosts.The defender, making his first start of the season, struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time when he tapped in his...Full Story »

Promoted Bolton will be without new signing Xavier Amaechi and Liam Edwards for their season opener at home to MK Dons.Winger Amaechi, on loan from Hamburg, has had surgery on a fractured metatarsal while a timeframe has not been put on a return for defender Edwards, who did not play at all last season because of a serious knee injury.Centre-back Ricardo Santos is fit again after a foot problem ...Full Story »

Barnsley could have defender Liam Kitching available for the Sky Bet Championship visit of champions Norwich.Kitching is yet to make his debut following a January move from Forest Green because of a groin problem, but has been building up fitness with an appearance for the under-23s.The Tykes are already secure of a top-six finish, so manager Valerien Ismael may opt to freshen up the side, with ...Full Story »

Valerien Ismael demanded an immediate reaction from Barnsley after their Championship play-off momentum stalled with a 2-0 defeat at Preston.The Tykes have already sealed a top-six spot but missed the chance to climb the table with a sloppy display at Deepdale.With potential play-off opponents Brentford and Swansea both impressing with victories, Ismael said: “We didn’t put in the pe...Full Story »

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael is refusing to get carried away despite his side being on the verge of sealing a Championship play-off spot.A slim but thoroughly deserved 1-0 win at Huddersfield saw Ismael’s side take advantage of Reading’s draw with Luton.The Reds are now six clear of the Royals with just three games to play. Despite them looking firm favourites to enter the end-of...Full Story »