Kyle Bartley: Even I’m in fear of West Brom attackers
Defender Kyle Bartley admits Albion’s fearsome attackers are giving him nightmares in training.
Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira are the talk of the Championship with their searing speed and silky skills causing problems for defences across the division.
West Ham loan trickster Diangana became a viral sensation with an outrageous piece of skill in the 5-1 hammering of Swansea, where he balanced the ball on his head before nonchalantly flicking over a defender.
And Samba star Pereira is being billed as the Championship’s star player after some sensational displays for Slaven Bilic’s men.
In-form defender Bartley, 28, quipped that the best course of action in training is to steer clear. I just try to stay away from them – I just find that best,” said Bartley.
“If ever I’ve got a choice of being on their team then I make sure I am!
“And if not then I think I told Grady the other day to swap wings because he was on the wing near me and I didn’t want anything to do with it.
“He’s just so quick. One second he’s there and the next second he’s scored a goal and I’m thinking ‘how’s that happened?’
“He’s been great but as have all the boys.”
Diangana netted his fifth goal of the campaign before limping off with a hamstring injury at Birmingham.
Bartley nodded to homegrown Albion attacker Kyle Edwards, who replaced Diangana at St Andrew’s, as an example of how attackers are not afraid to put in the hard yards.
“Kyle came on at the weekend and I thought he was brilliant,” the defender continued.
“In the Wigan game that Kyle played – his stats that we get given from the fitness people were absolutely off the charts.
“I think he covered the most distance of any player for the whole season.
“That shows if any players come in, even a skilful player, but he’s still going to run more than anyone on the pitch.
“He’s shown that hard work and the dedication that the manager requires from him.”
Bartley added that Baggies’ talented twosome: “They’re a joy to watch, play with and train with.
“They’ve been fantastic all season so far. They’re all very humble lads and very down to earth.
“They just enjoy playing football and you can see that the majority of the time. They play with a smile on their face and hopefully they can continue the form they’ve been in.”
Baggies star Bartley was speaking during the club’s pre-Christmas visit to see children at Acorns Hospice in Walsall – which made as profound impact on the players.
“As a parent myself I can only begin to imagine the pain they must be in so it’s a fantastic to, if anything, just take their mind off the situation they’re in,” he added.
“Over Christmas everybody want to be with their family enjoying themselves, eating and drinking too much, but unfortunately some of these people won’t do that.
“Hopefully the visit has given them hope and made them happy for a few hours at least.”
