Youngster delighted to score as a subsitute
SUPER-SUB Saido Berahino has thanked Steve Clarke for showing the belief to bring him on as an early replacement for injured Billy Jones in today’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The 20-year-old came off the bench to open the scoring at The Hawthorns – after Jones limped off in the 30th minute.
And the Albion Academy product, who played in front of makeshift right-back Morgan Amalfitano, insists he backs head coach Clarke to make the key decisions.
“I trust the boss,” said Berahino.
“He picked a starting XI that was good enough to win the game.
“It was unlucky for Billy to pick up an injury but I just had to come on and do what I could for the team and make sure we got the three points.
“The gaffer made a choice and I was ready to come on and help the team.
“He says you always have to be ready to come on and change the game.
“He told me I had to help Morgan, who isn’t a right back.
“It was a bit of a gamble, especially since I had Jerome Thomas coming down that left-hand side.
“But it just shows what kind of gaffer he is and that he’s not afraid to make the hard decisions.
“It’s great that it paid off.”