Express & Star

Darren Moore: New signings will help replace missing pace

Baggies boss Darren Moore believes his new signings will replace the pace that has been lost in recent weeks.

Published
Jacob Murphy. (AMA)

Jacob Murphy and Jefferson Montero both featured in Albion's 1-0 win over Stoke at the weekend.

And Moore hopes they can speed up his side's play, which has slowed down since Harvey Barnes was recalled by Leicester and Matt Phillips fell injured.

"Those two players are blessed with tremendous speed and agility and they have the ability as well," said Moore.

"We have looked to try and replace that and I feel with those two players we have the ability on the team.

"Hopefully all those connected to West Brom have seen why we brought those players in."

Although Murphy started brightly, he faded in the second half, and Montero was brought on for the final 15 minutes.

It was down to one of Albion's more recognised loanees, Dwight Gayle, to find the match-winning contribution 25 minutes in.

"You put the ball in the dangerous areas and Dwight has that knack that excellent strikers have," said Moore.

"Him and Jay Rod are in double figures. We're really pleased, they're both excellent players, we try and get them into positions.

"Both of them have got a keen eye for goal, if they get a chance we'll feel they score.

"Dwight's got the all important goal here for us and we're grateful for that, but the work they both did off the ball was just as good."

Gayle nodded home a well-worked free-kick routine after man of the match Ahmed Hegazi volleyed new signing Stefan Johansen's delivery back across goal.

"It was almost the perfect free-kick," said Gayle.

“We worked on it in training during the week and it worked perfectly.

“The touch from Ahmed is sensational, especially from a centre-half.

“He showed some great technique on what is his weaker foot and I’m grateful for it."

Gayle has moved one goal ahead of Jay Rodriguez in their long-running battle to be Baggies top scorer.

“Jay has kept pinning me back in recent weeks," admitted the Newcastle loanee. "He will probably end up scoring two or three on Tuesday!

“We’re both buzzing to get the win today and the competition keeps spurring us on to keep scoring.”