Carlos Corberan acknowledged the challenge of not pushing players too far during intense periods as West Brom gears up for the hectic festive schedule. In an interview with BirminghamLive on Tuesday (5 December), the Albion manager mentioned the difficulty of needing more from the players with seven matches scheduled in 23 days ahead. Despite granting Matt Phillips a break in the 1-0 win against Cardiff City on 28 November to aid his recovery from an injury, Corberan highlighted that the 32-year-old’s versatility came with consequences, evident when he had to be substituted off due to the effects of his injury and the packed fixture list in the 2-1 loss to Leicester City on Saturday (2 December).
“Sometimes, the tougher aspect is the risk of overexerting players during demanding periods because, for instance, we’re looking at a stretch where we’ll play four consecutive games with minimal recovery time in between. Depending on the squad’s depth, there’s a necessity to push players beyond their usual limits, increasing the likelihood of injuries,” explained Corberan.
“Regarding Phillips’ situation, despite his injury, I opted to give him a break during the Cardiff match to aid his recovery. This decision was also to provide opportunities for Jeremy Sarmiento’s growth. However, it’s a delicate balance because even after granting that rest, we still faced the repercussions of the injury. This situation highlights the need for adaptability to avoid frustration and cope with the challenges as they come.”
Challenging
Corberan has encountered numerous challenges during his tenure at West Brom, with the injury woes standing prominently among them. It’s quite astonishing how the Spaniard has been managing the team despite the considerable number of key players sidelined due to injuries, and this issue seems to be resurfacing.
The absence of Phillips in the Leicester game added to the growing list of injured players. Additionally, the loss of captain Jed Wallace, who sustained an injury against Cardiff, is another blow, ruling him out of action for the upcoming weeks.
This situation implies that the Baggies’ manager will need to rely on several players to step up and perform consistently over the upcoming month, given the dense schedule of fixtures.
However, Corberan has faced and conquered adversity earlier in the season. Undoubtedly, he will be prepared and equipped to tackle the forthcoming challenge, ensuring that his team remains competitive in the race for promotion.
Leave a Reply