West Brom player ratings as Albion struggle in front of Steve Bruce

West Brom’s under 23s suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to visitors Southampton in the Premier League 2 on Monday night - in front of new boss Steve Bruce.

Albion conceded to Walsall lad Luke Pearce right before the break as Bruce, his son Alex and assistant Stephen Clemence watched on alongside academy manager Rich Stevens at Telford United’s New Buck’s Head.

In better news, though, Dara O’Shea completed 90 minutes without any ill effects and is ever closer to making his first-team return.

Albion have been very good for the most part of the PL2 season, but this was an under par display across the pitch by their standards.

The first half was tight. Jovan Malcolm, back from his loan spell at Accrington Stanley, went close early doors as Albion began brightly, but they had little else to shout about in the final third as balls time and again failed to find their designated target.

Southampton didn’t cause too many problems, save for a back post volley from Lewis Payne which was directed wide of goal, but they did nudge themselves in front shortly before the break after building up a little pressure in Albion’s defensive third.

One corner was swung into the near post and Pearce met it sweetly on the volley, hooking it over Cann and into the far corner. The lively and tricky Kazeem Olaigbe might’ve doubled the lead from range in the early advances of the second period, but he pinged his shot wide of Ted Cann’s stretching arms and the post.

Rich Beale sent for Reyes Cleary and Rico Richards to liven up Albion’s play in the final third; it worked - to a point. Cleary’s snap-shot had Saints keeper Harry Lewis concerned for a minute, while Richards’ movement also caused issues. Tom Fellows also managed a shot on target after some