Price 2.0: Mason must unleash West Brom star who has “energy in abundance"
da cassino online： After falling short of the playoff positions in the Championship last season, West Bromwich Albion made a daring call in appointing rookie boss Ryan Mason as their next manager this summer.
da poker： The bold appointment looks to be paying off already, when assessing the Baggies’ fast start out of the blocks, with the West Midlands outfit already occupying second spot in the challenging division after picking up three wins and a draw from their opening four clashes.
Mason has one breakout figure in his Baggies camp to particularly thank for the second-tier side’s unbeaten start, with Isaac Price sticking out as a top performer in Championship action, away from also being a goalscoring hero for his nation.
Price's blistering form this season
The former Tottenham Hotspur coach turned West Brom manager must be further commended for his new side’s electric start when you consider regular first-team faces such as Tom Fellows deserted the Hawthorns so late into the hectic window.
Thankfully, the 34-year-old has Isaac Price at his disposal to soften the blow of Fellows’ departure, with the former Everton youngster proving to be a real hit with the West Brom faithful so early into his stay back in England.
Indeed, the 21-year-old midfielder already has three strikes and two assists next to his name for the promotion hopefuls this season from just five clashes, with the West Brom number 21 also ripping it up for Northern Ireland recently to keep up his whirlwind run of form, having scored against Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany during the break.
This will all rest now on Price being able to keep up this blistering form when the games continue to come thick and fast, with four of the Baggies’ six Championship strikes to date relying on the magic of their £2.5m ace.
Mason will want to unearth more lively performers, such as Price, to make his team an even harder prospect to beat, with this raw Baggies starlet perhaps in line for more starting opportunities subsequently.
The West Brom youngster who could be the next Price
After all, Mason’s expertise when still situated at Spurs centred on his ability to work with youngsters closely and advance their game.
This could well have been a pulling factor as to why Toby Collyer decided to move to the Hawthorns on loan from Manchester United this summer, having already made considerable waves in the first team picture at Old Trafford.
Collyer has very much shown Ruben Amorim back in Manchester that age is just a number when unleashed into senior action, with this vital off-the-line clearance just one standout moment from his 13 first-team starts and counting for the Red Devils.
Price, who is the same age as the United midfielder, has also shown Mason why having youthful energy on his side can be impactful, with the England U20 international now searching for regular first-team minutes in the Championship to further his game even more.
Collyer – 24/25 PL stats
Stat – per 90 mins*
Collyer
Games played
6
Games started
0
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches*
22.7
Accurate passes*
12.3 (83%)
Tackles*
2.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
Total duels won*
3.3
Stats by Sofascore
Despite having nothing concrete to really show for his limited United first team chances, with zero goals or assists picked up, Collyer has still impressed with his fight and vigour from his minimal minutes in the senior picture, with 2.8 ball recoveries averaged and 3.3 duels won on average last season in the Premier League leading to analyst H hailing him as possessing “energy in abundance”.
He could well liven up the midfield ranks even more at the Hawthorns, therefore, away from just the emerging star of Price, with Collyer ensuring a 1-0 away win at Stoke City was secured last time out by winning a solitary ground duel, despite only being on the pitch for 11 minutes.
It might well be deemed unrealistic to expect him to break into the first-team picture ahead of the likes of West Brom midfield stalwarts Jayson Molumby and Alex Mowatt, but Mason could well catch Derby County off-guard up next by throwing in his new number 13 from the start, knowing the Rams are more of a well-drilled unit who rely on seasoned heads, over rising talents.
As a result, Collyer’s youthful exuberance might well catch John Eustace’s Rams cold.
The Red Devils youth product will have to be patient, however, with Mason knowing all too well that he will need his full squad – from Price to Collyer – to seal a dramatic return to the top-flight.