That Was A Poor Rating! Albion Boss Has Spoken The “Weakness” Of His Star

I know he can play better’ Carlos Corberan gives West Brom challenge

Callum Styles has been challenged to improve as Albion left-back after a testing first start at Luton on Friday.

Utility man Styles, 24, was signed for an undisclosed fee from Barnsley in the summer and handed a four-year deal as Corberan claimed his versatility will be very useful for the Baggies.

Styles, who sees himself as a midfielder first and foremost, had to bide his time for a shot at regular action for his new club but a run of defensive injuries has opened the door for the Bury-born Hungary international.

He was an early substitute in the last home fixture, a stalemate against Cardiff, and made his first Albion start at Luton on Friday. Corberan’s makeshift backline did well in the 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road but Styles has been tasked to improve after a challenging full debut against Luton’s talented attack.

“I think in general it looks co-ordinated and committed with the game in a match not easy to defend,” Corberan assessed of his defensive line after injuries to Kyle Bartley, Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair

“Especially for me the game of (Torbjorn) Heggem in defence was brilliant in every single aspect. To be the first time (Mason) Holgate played in the first 11 he was doing well too.

“(Darnell) Furlong in defence showed the same level he has showed in all 13 games we played so far.

“Styles, I knew it would be a challenging game because of the type of opponent he was facing, it was not easy. He was giving some good actions but I know is a player that can play better than today.”

Albion’s defensive record of eight goals conceded from 13 Championship fixtures so far is joint with second-placed Leeds as the second-fewest shipped in the league.

Sheffield United, in third, and fourth-placed Burnley, who come to The Hawthorns on Thursday night, have conceded just six goals.

“In general the work in defence of our defenders has been excellent,” added the head coach. “The work of the team defending has been (excellent).

“It is a situation we normally manage better but today we lost the ball and it ended in the goal.”