Improving forward is on path to success

GRADY Diangana was the name on everyone's lips as West Brom beat Hull to record a third straight Championship win last weekend.

- Chris Dunlavy

Yet Carlos Corberan, the Baggies' boss, reserved his praise for a less spectacular member of his team's strikeforce.

"Brandon Thomas-Asante didn't score today but was excellent, one of his best games I have seen him play this season," said the Spaniard.

Those words will come as a major boost to the 24-year-old, who just last week spoke publicly of his desire to spearhead West Brom's attack for the remainder of the campaign.

"I've seen the players over the last few seasons who can hit 20-plus goals and I see myself as someone who can do that," he said. "I really want to take the responsibility to lead this team."

Thomas-Asante has certainly done that recently, netting a pressure penalty to open the scoring at home to QPR before striking a spectacular clincher in a 2-0 victory over Coventry.

Against Hull, he contributed to two goals, hassled defenders and offered a constant outlet with his energetic running in the channels.

Not all Baggies fans are convinced, however, and a seven-game goalless run prior to his ecent double begs the question as to whether he is capable of producing the quality and consistency required to return big numbers in the Championship.