After scoring two goals on Saturday in their 2-1 win over Stoke, it’s fair to say West Brom fans are loving Dwight Gayle – and many have taken to Twitter to voice their approval after seeing the 27-year old replace Salomon Rondon this summer.
Having seen how well he’s held up the ball and given us an outlet in the last few games, I personally am delighted to have signed the big Venezuelan in Gayle’s place, however it seems Baggies fans are adamant they’ve got the better side of the deal.
Gayle may be scoring goals for fun in the Championship (he has 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games so far), but Rondon fits our system much better, looks a real handful, a hard worker and has chipped in with a goal and an assist after just two starts.
Nevertheless, here’s what West Brom fans have said – with it seeming as though they’ve got a little carried away by Gayle’s form in the Championship:
One thing I will say about our season so far is that if Rondon would’ve had the chances Gayle has had so far Rondon would STILL be on zero goals #WBA #levels
— Carl Alexander (@CarlAlexander74) September 1, 2018
‘Can’t believe Newcastle swapped him for Rondon, likeable enough as he is, Gayle is another level’
“I said to my lad how many of the two Gayle goals would Rondon have scored. He responded with, one he wouldn’t have got in that position and secondly would have looked to pass the ball backwards. Kevin Phillips on the other bench must have been wishing he had Mr Gayle at Stoke
‘Gayle is better than Rondon. Rondon would not of scored those goals like that.’
“Rondon would have missed both those goals Gayle scored today”
“Gayle for Rondon was a master stroke’
“I’ve said it all along Gayle is a massive upgrade on Rondon.’
“Hope we sell Rondon and use that money to buy Gayle on a permanent deal. He’s already shown us what we’ve been missing up front.”
Gayle was unreal today. I can't believe Newcastle wanted Rondon over him
— Callum (@Cazza_SC) September 1, 2018
Don’t get me wrong, I think this has been a very good deal for West Brom, but I feel they’re missing one big point here – Gayle is scoring goals in the Championship. This is something he does not do in the Premier League.
Rondon meanwhile is proving to be a real handful in the Premier League, seems to fit our system perfectly, works hard and has a goal and assist to his name after two starts and two sub appearances.
Gayle may score more goals in the Championship than Rondon would have, but there’s no chance Gayle would’ve put in the performance Rondon did when totally isolated against than Man City defence.
Compare the two when they’re both playing Premier League football and I think we’ll find Rondon is the far more capable striker.
I’m pleased for Gayle, don’t dislike him as a player, just think he’s not clinical enough in the PL.
I can understand the WBA fans raving about him with that return so far. He’s a very good EFL striker – he proved that for us.
He got in some great positions for us last season and had some great chances – just didn’t put them away. I think he’s better than his stats showed last season.
But I agree. Rondon suits Rafas style better. It was always going to take a few games for him to get used to the players around him and his role for us. He was unlucky not to get off the mark straight away against Spurs – but for some last ditch defending and the post.
He took his goal against Forest really well and let’s be fair – there are better forwards who have struggled to make an impact against Chelsea and City.
I think when Shelvey and Ritchie get back they will provide the service for him to score.
Gayle scored 6 last season I think – I predict Rondon will score more.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looks like a fair swap deal to me…
BillytheFish(Quote)
Albion fan here, I think it’s a little arrogant on the author’s part to infer that our supporters aren’t privvy yet to the full picture but that you are in some way. Gayle has looked very sharp so far, a real finisher. I appreciate that you’ve seen a lot more of him than us. I would suggest though that part of the reason he hasn’s scored many goals in the Premier League is because of the style of play hasn’t lent itself to the type of service he needs to get goals. Quite clearly you wouldn’t get much out of him as a target man at the Etihad, for example. Perfectly understandable.
Rondon on the other hand spent 2 years playing at our place as a target man. He didn’t get much service, his confidence waned, as did his goal record. Some weeks he was an effective target man, quite often the ball would just bounce off him and back to the opposition. Perhaps Rafa will get more bodies up alongside him, I think he needs that; maybe it’s better for us both to judge after a dozen games or so but I would say that your comments on Rondon thus far are as ‘amusing’ to us as yours about Gayle. Maybe we’ll both know more after a dozen games or so.
For the record, I hope Rondon does well for you as I think a swap deal would suit us both and probably both of the players too, if we get ourselves back up.
James(Quote)
Fair play, that’s a good assessment.
Good luck for the season – I hope Gayle gets you 25+ goals on the way to promotion!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Thanks Olly.
Good luck to the Toon, always liked them as a club. Hope you get a new owner and get the chance to do yourselves justice.
James(Quote)
James – I can understand why you would question Gayles goal return in Rafas system, but please don’t be influenced by the media. Yes against the top 6 sides Rafa will go defensive, but that not always the case. I don’t know how much you saw of us last season, but we created chances and Gayle had plenty of them but only managed 6 goals. He worked his socks off and got into those positions and always gave his all. His goals got us promoted, so he’s well liked by us Geordies.
I hope he does well for you’s and Rondon does well for us and we can face off in the PL again next season.
You boys know what it’s like to have been Pardewed too ?
Sharpy17(Quote)