Analysis: Harvey Barnes stars as West Brom honour Cyrille Regis with goal-fest

There is no doubt Cyrille Regis would have approved of the attacking prowess on show as two of his former clubs went head-to-head in the inaugural Regis Shield, writes Matt Maher.

Albion’s 5-2 victory saw them sign off preparations for the Championship campaign in impressive style.

Making a firm prediction on how Darren Moore’s men will fare over the next nine months remains tricky, chiefly because it is impossible to say what will happen in terms of player trading before the transfer window closes on Thursday week.

For now, on paper, the Baggies look reasonably strong and Saturday’s performance did enough to suggest challenging for an immediate return to the Premier League may not be out of the question.

One player who certainly will be sticking around is Harvey Barnes. The 20-year-old, who joined on a season-long loan from Leicester City last week, enjoyed a superb Hawthorns debut, scoring twice inside the first eight minutes and also setting up Hal Robson-Kanu, who also bagged a brace during an opening half in which the Baggies were rampant.

Barnes’s performance was enough that he has surely played his way into the starting XI for Saturday’s curtain raiser against Bolton.

“I’d like to think I have given the manager something to think about,” he said afterwards. “That was my aim going into the game, putting in a good performance and making sure I am in his mind for that first game of the season.

“The first game at The Hawthorns, it was important to go out and show what I am about. I got the two goals to show that.

“You want to go out there and put in a good performance, especially with the occasion it was.”

Barnes’s opener was laid on by a man whose own future is yet to be resolved, though there can no be no doubting the majority of supporters will be hoping the club can come to agreement with James Morrison on a new deal.

The Scot collected a cleverly disguised pass from Chris Brunt before guiding the ball into the path of Barnes, who finished superbly from 20 yards out.

Barnes then linked up with Robson-Kanu for his second, racing on to a return pass before lifting a finish over Coventry keeper Liam O’Brien.

When Robson-Kanu then netted in the 31st and 39th minutes, the second a header from a pinpoint Barnes cross, the Baggies were threatening to run riot.

But Reice Allassani pulled one back with a fine finish just before the break and, though Jake Livermore hit Albion’s fifth shortly after the restart, Jordon Thompson ensured the Sky Blues would have the final say when he headed home late on.

The two goals conceded will have caused frustration for Sam Johnstone, another Hawthorns debutant, though the goalkeeper personally enjoyed a solid game.

“We played some great football, especially in the first half when we looked really dangerous,” said Barnes. “We created some great chances and got the goals we deserved.

“The manager knows I’m an attacking player. I have a real confidence from him to go and express myself in the final third, which is important.

“This week will be about getting things nailed down, so we are 100 per cent ready for Bolton.”

Albion (4-4-1-1): Johnstone, Cranie (Wilson 79), Bartley, Hegazi (Fitzwater 76), Gibbs (Rodriguez 69), Phillips (Burke 79), Livermore (Harper 79), Brunt, Barnes (Leko 76), Morrison (Edwards 79), Robson-Kanu (Barry 69) Subs not used: Rondon, Bond (gk).