Boss pleased with summer signing's progress
STEVE Clarke has called for patience with Yassine El Ghanassy – and has praised the winger for the progress he is making.The 22-year-old signed from AA Gent on a season-long loan, with a view to a permanent move, in the summer.
He played a starring role on his Baggies debut in the 4-2 Capital One Cup win at Yeovil last month and netted the opener in Sunday's Barclays Under-21 Premier League 1-1 draw with West Ham - but has yet to make a Barclays Premier League appearance.
“I said when we signed Yassine that he was one to develop, nurture and bring through,” said Clarke.
“Until now we have done that quite well.
“He played at Yeovil in the Capital One Cup and he put in a decent performance.
“He’s been training well and I was saying to him last week that he’s working better now than he was in pre-season when he was taking part in some of the pre-season games.
“And his time will come. Whether it comes quickly or a little bit later I can’t tell because circumstance will dictate that.
“But he is improving, he’s working hard at his game and he’s got a contribution to make this season.
“He has to adjust to the game.
“He’s a young boy who needs to learn the defensive side as well as the attacking side of the game.
“He’s got many things to learn, as have a lot of the players, even the more senior ones.
“Even me sitting here as a head coach, I think everybody has always got something to learn.
“Our job is to try to teach the players and help the players to become the best they can.
“Yassine is taking everything we’ve told him on board and even in training I can see an improvement.”