Club News

El Ghanassy display excites Clarke

But head coach insists there's more to come from winger

STEVE Clarke praised Yassine El Ghanassy for his impressive display in last night’s 3-1 pre-season win at Walsall – but insists there is more to come from the winger.

The summer signing wrapped up the Banks’s Stadium victory by scoring a late third, having already set up Craig Dawson’s 16th-minute opener and Saido Berahino’s 62nd-minute strike.

It was his first goal for the club and was just what Clarke was looking for after sending out his troops with the message to show him something exciting.

“He was involved in all the goals – scored one and made two – which is a good contribution,” said the Baggies boss.

“Like I said when I brought him in, he’s a young player and has a lot to learn.

“We’ll keep his feet on the ground and he’ll keep working on it.

“But you can see he’s got some key assets and at times he can look quite exciting on the pitch.

“It’s not so much about keeping him on a rein, it’s about making sure he develops at the right pace.

“I am a novice at this stage in management but I know a bit about bringing young players through and looking after them and it’s important that when they go on the pitch and play they are ready.

“What we saw last night excited the supporters a little bit and it’s good for the boy as well that he gets a bit of confidence.

“He’s a winger and wingers are generally confidence players.”

And Clarke was especially pleased with the team’s second-half performance.

“It was a good game for us,” he added.

“We had to work hard. 

“The boys who played last night weren’t involved at the weekend. 

"I asked them to show me something that excited me and they did that.

“I thought there were some good things, especially in the second half.”