Darnell Furlong gives West Brom boss Slaven Bilic selection headache at right-back
Darnell Furlong's impressive league debut has given Albion boss Slaven Bilic a selection headache at the back.
Bilic declared after the 1-1 draw with Reading that he 'loved' Furlong following an all-action performance at right-back from the £1.5million summer signing.
Furlong should have been awarded a penalty less than three minutes in and sent in a number of dangerous deliveries into the Royals' box.
But Bilic, who rested Nathan Ferguson for the midweek match, has also been pleased with the 18-year-old's performances this season.
Furlong and Ferguson look set to battle it out for the right-back position this season leaving Bilic with a difficult choice to make this weekend at Pride Park.
When asked about Furlong, he said: "He works hard, he's a good player, we wanted him, he didn't come as a number.
"He's got good stamina, great skill, great first touch, can go up and down.
"I love him, he played really good. But you were asking me the same question three days ago about Nathan Ferguson.
"Unfortunately they can't all play but we need all of them. Furlong got a chance, and he was really good."
Bilic also dropped Kyle Edwards, another academy product, on Wednesday night in favour of West Ham loanee Grady Diangana following his two goals against Luton.
But the Croatian was pleased with Edwards' impact off the bench and urged the 21-year-old to keep his chin up.
Bilic added: "I told Kyle 'don't get down, you've started more games this season than ever in your career, you're great, I want you to make a difference.' And he's done it.
"In my opinion, second half, we were great. When we wanted to change, nobody deserved to go off, Charlie Austin is not 100 per cent fit.
"Grady was playing well in the second half, Filip Krovinovic and Matty Phillips were playing well.
"Kyle Edwards and Ken Zohore and Matheus Pereira came on and they upgraded the performance, which was not easy considering how we played.
"Am I happy with how we are playing? Yes. Am I happy with the squad? Yes.
"But we should have more points than eight points. To be fair, it's better this way than if we were playing bad and somehow making points. This makes you happy and I can't wait for tomorrow."
