By Jan-Malte Wagener
As a German reporter working at The Argus, I was especially focused on the performance of Pascal Gross when I covered Albion v Newcastle.
And, to be honest, I was delighted!
He has always been an important player for Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga but he was never a star player in Germany.
So it is great to see him being nominated for the player of the month award in the Premier League with the likes of Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku and Sergio Aguero.
With his strong right foot and his mobility, he is an asset for Albion all over the attacking area and a threat for the opponents’ defences.
He showed that against Newcastle.
After just six minutes he delivered a cross from the left.
Five minutes later, the 26-year-old made his way from the right into the box where his volley was accidentally blocked by Anthony Knockaert.
I also found it quite obvious that Gross didn’t only click with his friend from Ingolstadt, Markus Suttner, but also with the rest of the side.
Nearly every counter attack included him creating spaces with smart one-touch passes On 34 minutes he received a high clearance and immediately set up Bruno. The counter attack was running.
Also his accurate shifts of play can surprise the opposition defence.
Gross proved that on 56 minutes when Solly March almost scored.
But it wasn’t random. He had done similar on 30 minutes and for his first goal against West Brom.
But his masterpiece against Newcastle definitely was his free-kick that ended up in the goal thanks to Tomer Hemed.
In the final stages he also had some defensive work to do You rarely find him in the own area but he occupied the spaces on the edge of the box.
And, as soon as his side gain possession, he can start a counter - as he did on 82 minutes.
Gross will be vital in Albion’s campaign to stay up.
I’ve already cast my vote for the September prize!
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