‘I am proud’ – Corberan reveals player told him to start someone else for West Brom v Millwall

‘I am proud’ – Corberan reveals player told him to start someone else for West Brom v Millwall

West Brom boss Carlos Corberan reveals selfless Jed Wallace act v Millwall
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan has praised captain Jed Wallace for putting the team first after dropping down to the substitutes’ bench for the goalless draw with Millwall at the weekend.

 

Corberan made five changes for the stalemate at The Hawthorns on Saturday [23 September], with the likes of Jeremy Sarmiento and Grady Diangana coming into the side.

Wallace was one of those to make way in a decision the midfielder accepted was the best choice for the team, as revealed by Corberan.

“Jed Wallace this week has showed me and to our team why he is our captain,” Corberan is quoted as saying by the Shropshire Star [26 September].

 

“When I was preparing the game on Friday, I thought it was important to have Sarmiento and Diangana in the first XI – trying to play the game that they wanted to do, to be aggressive with the playmakers.

 

“I was talking with Wallace and [Brandon-Thomas] Asante to explain that one would play as a number nine, and one would start on the bench.

“Wallace said to me that Asante should play, even though he was fully determined to play against Millwall. He thought that the best way for the team was to use our number nine.

“Wallace doesn’t like to miss any minutes, but he has a lot of value in this club and with his team behind this answer. He is someone who was thinking of the team before himself – it’s as simple as that. I am proud and pleased to have him as the captain of my team.

Corberan’s team selection against Millwall raised more than a few eyebrows given that he changed half of the outfield players on the back of the 2-2 draw at Watford.

The Baggies looked well off it for the first quarter of the game and were fortunate not to be behind at half-time, with Alex Palmer to thank for his penalty save.

Albion had hoped to get in behind Millwall with three players in attack, but it did not quite pan out that way as they were unable to find a breakthrough – albeit they hit the frame of the goal twice.

 

Wallace was introduced for the final 15 minutes or so and registered just six passes during his time on the field [WhoScored].

 

After his selfless act against the Lions, Corberan will now more than likely recall the midfielder for Albion’s trip to Preston North End next weekend.

 

In other West Brom news, a couple of players may now be in Corberan’s plans for a starting spot versus Preston after a development on Monday [25 September].