On Saturday, when West Bromwich Albion overcame Bristol City 3-0, the one negative part of the day was the red card to Romaine Sawyers, as it left the question open for who would fill in for him during his suspension, however, as Preston came to The Hawthorns, Slaven Bilic threw in Rekeem Harper.
Our XI to face @pnefc.
Just the one change. Rekeem Harper starts for the first time in the @SkyBetChamp this season. He replaces the suspended Romaine Sawyers.#WBAPNE | #WBA pic.twitter.com/vFF3UUWG2m
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 25, 2020
The youngster didn’t disappoint either. The pre-match buzz from the fans was all about the youngster, with many fans desperate to see him play and full of excitement that he’d been thrown straight into the clash by Bilic, with many fans commenting on the club’s team news tweet.
Whether or not Harper does enough to hold onto his place in the team when Sawyers returns is yet to be seen, but he performed exceptionally well on Tuesday evening, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be given another two chances for the remainder of Sawyers’ ban.
You can read the Baggies’ reaction to seeing Harper starting here:
REKEEEEEMMMM pic.twitter.com/fVbcFEcz6C
— Top Shagger (@topshaggerjack) February 25, 2020
YESSS BIG REKEEM pic.twitter.com/mfu9UEw33s
— (@RekeemTheDream2) February 25, 2020
Great opportunity for Harper, needs to perform, first team places aren’t easy to come by
— SJP (@WBAParksie7374) February 25, 2020
Happy with this team, a great chance for Harper and everyone keep the winning system going!
If the traffic on the motorway island ever clears I’ll get to see them all play!— JonW1995 (@JonW1995) February 25, 2020
Big performance needed from @Rekeemharper8
— Josh (@JoshhWBA) February 25, 2020
Rekeem the dream, ladies and gentlemen, is back
— Brunt’s Left Boot (@BenS_2003) February 25, 2020
The fans have got so much time for Harper and will just be desperate to see him build up some momentum in the next couple of games.