Steve Bruce has admitted his side are in desperate need of transfer reinforcements…
What’s the word?
Speaking to the press following West Bromwich Albion’s 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, he claimed that the club are actively seeking a striker replacement.
He noted: “I’m hopeful, we’re hopeful.
“We’re trying, we’re having to because the club has been unfortunate. We’ve got two big number 9s who have had a series of awful injuries which has been difficult. Especially the one to Dike.”
Daryl Dike, a January signing, was recently ruled out for “at least a couple of months.”
Ian Pearce will have to act quick, as their head of recruitment, to satisfy the manager’s issues.
They need a striker desperately
Their loss to the Lancashire side has left the Baggies languishing in 20th, having yet to win from their opening three fixtures, only scoring three whilst conceding four.
With one of the goals also coming from a set piece, that means that they have only managed two open-play goals this season.
Bruce’s side are decidedly toothless, with Karlan Grant now heavily relied upon to shoulder the main goalscoring burden.
Can West Brom rely on Karlan Grant until Dike returns from injury?
Although he did score a respectable 18 Championship goals last season, the Baggies boss will be hoping not to have to solely depend on the English striker and will therefore be looking to bring someone else in.
Back in the 2020/21 season, when Dike was last fit, he bagged nine goals in just 19 appearances during his loan move at Barnsley, propelling them to an unlikely playoff push.
The absence of this presence will be hugely detrimental to their dreams of a promotion push themselves, as they look to return to the Premier League with haste.
Reyes Cleary did earn himself his first start in their win over Sheffield United, but despite his incredible ceiling, the 18-year-old cannot be relied upon to be a mainstay in the side just yet.
Hosting a Cardiff City side next who sit fifth, having conversely won two of their opening three league fixtures, will pose another tough test for West Brom, who will struggle once more against a resolute and hard-working side.
With Bruce so open about their need for a striker, it is clear how deep the problem lies. It is an issue that Pearce desperately needs to find a solution for as soon as possible, ideally before they fall so far that a playoff push becomes a near-insurmountable task.
