Sunderland legend Kevin Ball selects his ones to watch ahead of West Bromwich Albion's trip to the Stadium of Light.
SALOMON RONDON
It is fair to say we’ve struggled to deal with the threat posed by powerful forwards – Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke – in recent weeks, and we will once again come up against a physical presence on Saturday. Salomon Rondon has made a superb start to the season scoring three goals in five Premier League games, which brings his tally to five in his last seven in the Premier League, and Tony Pulis will be hoping the striker can once again fire his side to three points. He works hard and is very quick across the ground and he also scored four goals in the Copa America during the summer, so he’s in a rich vein of form.
NACER CHADLI
Like Rondon, Nacer Chadli has started the season with a flurry and his contribution will be crucial this season following a record-breaking move from Tottenham Hotspur. At 27 the winger is in the prime of his career and he’s hit the ground running netting two goals in his first three games. He can operate on either flank and is comfortable with both feet providing goals and assists, so he needs to be stopped and Sunderland’s full-backs will be key.
CLAUDIO YACOB
Claudio Yacob will try and make West Brom tick and he’s not afraid to get stuck in so he will play a big part in what kind of game we see tomorrow. He is a team player and he is type of player who does the jobs that nobody else likes doing, so it will be intriguing to see him battle with the likes of Lee Cattermole in the centre of the park.
JONATHAN LEKO
Our game against West Bromwich Albion last season won’t live long in the memory of many fans, but it was a big day for Jonathan Leko who made his debut at the age of 16. He’s fast and he’s direct and there’s a very good chance he could feature on Saturday after he grabbed an assist last weekend against Stoke City. He recently signed a new deal at the Hawthorns and won the club’s Young Player of the Season award last year, so he’s definitely one to look out for this weekend and for the future.
BRENDAN GALLOWAY
Another youngster to keep an eye out for is Brendan Galloway who moved to the club on loan from Everton. When young players move on loan they often have to drop down a division to do so, but it is a testament to him and the faith Everton have in him that he has gone to play for another Premier League club. He’s made a bright start to his West Brom career and I’m a big believer that players should spread their wings and flourish using the loan system, so it will be interesting to see how he fairs this campaign and if he can fight for a place in the Toffees' starting XI next year.
BEN FOSTER
There are a number of former Sunderland players within the West Brom ranks who we will of course look out for, but another player who could have a big role to play is Ben Foster. I’ve been a big fan of his for many years and he’s a very consistent and competent ‘keeper with good stopping ability and good kicking, and if you look back through his career he’s played well wherever he’s been.
BACKROOM STAFF
I have to give a special mention to West Bromwich Albion’s manager Tony Pulis because I think he’s done absolutely brilliantly. He recently took charge of his 1,000th game and that in itself is a fantastic achievement and a credit to him, and how he’s pushed himself, since entering management way back in 1992. Behind every good manager there are good coaches and at the moment one of those is Gerry Francis. Gerry was absolutely brilliant with me when I was a youngster at Coventry City and he was a tremendous pro with a brilliant passion for the game. He used to take me back to London and we always used to laugh about how he, like my dad, used to fly pigeons, but in all seriousness if you have a someone like that backing you up then you’re a very lucky manager.
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