West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray says both senior goalkeepers at the club are in contention for the number one spot at The Hawthorns going forward.
The Baggies are left with two first-team keepers after previous starter Alex Palmer was sold to Premier League Ipswich Town on deadline day, earning the West Midlands club a fee of around £4 million. The move meant Josh Griffiths was recalled from his loan at Bristol Rovers and will now compete with Joe Wildsmith for the spot between the sticks.
Healthy competition
Palmer had started all the club’s 29 league games before his sale, but new boss Mowbray seems confident that Wildsmith or Griffiths can fill the gap well.
Speaking to BBC Radio WM, he said, “The goalkeepers left at this club have got some good pedigree in them.”
“Josh Griffiths is very highly thought of and been on an exceptional loan at Bristol Rovers and Joe won the golden gloves in League One (with Derby) last season and I see him on the training ground here every day and he keeps the ball out of the net.
“We shouldn’t overly concern ourselves too much because there is genuine competition and let’s see who manages to grab that number one shirt at the start of next season.”
23-year-old Griffiths has been first choice in League One for Bristol Rovers so has more match practice, but Wildsmith has been around the club this season. With a Championship game this weekend against Sheffield Wednesday, either player has the chance to cement their place as first-choice – though Mowbray has yet to confirm who will play.
“Whoever gets the start tomorrow, they’ve got the chance to grab hold of it – hopefully not make too many saves but do the basics well and there’s a chance to keep rolling,” he said.
“If that doesn’t happen somebody else who is chomping at the bit to play could get an opportunity as well so I’m happy for them to compete against each other but it is healthy to have competition in that department.”
Writer’s View
This is an interesting dilemma for West Brom, especially with so much to play for this season. Griffiths has minutes under his belt but Wildsmith has been at the club this season, so they are both probably level in the pecking order. Whoever plays this weekend will hope to make the shirt his own for this season, until Mowbray likely reassesses in the summer.
