West Brom blog: Time to trust in Oliver Burke?

The Scot made his first Premier League start – having managed just 68 minutes in the previous five matches he featured in - and was one of Albion’s brightest performers prior to coming off just after the hour mark.

I was a little surprised that Alan Pardew named him in his starting line-up given his previous team selections, but Burke showed glimpses of why the club paid so much money for him in the summer.

Starting out on the right wing, he truly began to get more joy when he came inside and subsequently got more involved, where he could get his head down and run into space through the centre of the pitch.

His final product does need to improve, but we mustn’t forget that he’s only 20.

That will surely come with the right coaching and game time. He was at least positive and direct.

In the second half against United he partnered Salomon Rondon up front and I would try the same against Stoke on Saturday.

Rondon is often left isolated up top by himself and without the service necessary for him to score goals.

With Burke next to or just behind him, the two could complement each other nicely.

Burke possesses the sheer speed to stretch the Stoke backline and move them out of shape. They’ve leaked nine goals in their last three outings.

After all, Jay Rodriguez hasn’t been performing this season and Pardew recently said he sees him as more of a number 10.

Stoke is a hugely important game and one that we must start well in, putting the Potters under pressure from the get-go.

And I think Burke can very much contribute to that high pressure approach with the attributes he has.