BAFFLED Sky Sports pundit and Daily Mail columnist Jamie Redknapp can’t believe that Newcastle United allowed striker Dwight Gayle to leave the club in the summer, with the Magpies propping up the Premier League table. Gayle swapped clubs with Salomon Rondon in the summer, as part of a season-long loan agreement between Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion. It’s clear, a little over two months into the new season, who the early beneficiaries are. Rondon, who hasn’t been able to keep himself fit on Tyneside long enough to enjoy a run in the side, has scored just once in black and white – that being in the EFL Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest. Gayle, meanwhile, has found his feet rather sharply at The Hawthorns. The forward has eight goals to his name already, and collected the division’s player of the month award for September. The difference between the top flight and the second tier is something that cannot be underestimated; after all Gayle found the net only six times for the Toon last term. Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Redknapp, though, can’t comprehend why manager Rafael Benitez pursued such a deal. READ MORE WEIGHING UP ALBION Frank Lampard says his Derby County side head to The Hawthorns on Wednesday evening fearless but wary as West Bromwich Albion search for a response to their defeat at Wigan Athletic over the weekend. The Baggies suffered what was their third defeat of the campaign at the DW Stadium, ending a seven match unbeaten run, and the Rams represent the first of a B71 double header this week when they pitch up. Lampard, who took over the hotseat vacated by Gary Rowett this summer, has begun his managerial career promisingly. The East Midlanders sit in the play-offs along with Albion, three points behind their hosts. And 40-year-old Lampard, who netted six times against Albion down the years for Chelsea will be hoping his side can draw level on points this week. That being said, the former England midfielder is anticipating a tricky evening. READ MORE WHERE TO TURN? Darren Moore has plenty to think about with Jake Livermore suspended for the visit of Derby County on Wednesday night. The West Brom midfielder was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final throes of the disappointing defeat at Wigan. And Moore might be forced to make further changes elsewhere with Craig Dawson and Gareth Barry struggling with injury. Dawson was replaced two minutes after the restart at the DW Stadium after picking up a knock in the first half. Barry missed out altogether with an unspecified minor injury, but could be available to face the Rams. So which side should Moore pick after the Wigan set-back? Against one of the form teams in the Championship, too. Our writers have their say. READ MORE TEAM NEWS Jake Livermore is suspended for the visit of Derby County on Wednesday night – and there are fitness concerns down the spine of the West Brom side too. Livermore was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final throes of the disappointing defeat at Wigan – for which he apologised. And Darren Moore might be forced to make further changes elsewhere with Craig Dawson and Gareth Barry struggling with injury. Dawson was replaced two minutes after the restart at the DW Stadium after picking up a knock in the first half. Barry missed out altogether with an unspecified minor injury, but could be available to face the Rams. Matt Phillips could miss out with a muscle injury while Bakary Sako continues to wait for a breakthrough, although Moore is now happy with his fitness levels. Philips, who has not played since the visit of Millwall, earned plaudits early in the season for his displays from right wing back. READ MORE Source link The post West Brom’s injury concerns outlined as Frank Lampard makes Albion prediction appeared first on 10z Soccer. #FrankLampard #BakarySako #CraigDawson
