Every club seems to have that one player that fans automatically turn to when something goes wrong in the team, and for West Brom, that name is seemingly Sam Johnstone.
Seeing a lot of hate towards @samjohnstone50 so I’m just going to show you many times he’s made insane saves to keep us in games or to help us get the win. Back off the guy for once, he’s doing a cracking job between the sticks for us. Enjoy. #WBA pic.twitter.com/uQihFh4YqG
— Leeam (@IiamwbaV4) March 11, 2020
The former Manchester United shot-stopper has often been a target for abuse and criticism from some Baggies fans after games where the 26-year-old keeper was partially at fault for a mistake or two, yet a number of West Brom supporters are beginning to back Johnstone following the tirade of un-needed hate directed his way.
Does Sam Johnstone need replacing in the summer?
Yes
No
And an edit of the ex-Aston Villa loanee making big saves for Slaven Bilic’s side has been making the rounds on social media, showing off Johnstone’s best moments for the Baggies since joining last summer and proving why some of the criticism directed at him is somewhat unwarranted.
Here’s what some West Brom fans had to say about Johnstone on Twitter…
Sam had such a massive act to follow after @BenFoster . A crowd favourite and legend. Feel sorry for the guy but he’s saved us on many occasions this year and is the future. Vital cog in the machine.
— Old’n’fat (@hoare_neil) March 12, 2020
Love this!!!!!! We are @samjohnstone50 fans in this house 🧤⚽️🧤
— Michelle (@MichelleKeeley2) March 11, 2020
Will always suffer from not being Ben foster. Very good keeper in his own right and has shown he is improving too
— MulumbuWoah (@mulumbuwoah) March 11, 2020
Johnstone is one of the best keepers if not the best in the league and some of our fans still slander him. I just can’t understand our fanbase sometimes
— 🇧🇷Moura🇧🇷 (@FitzwaterSZN) March 11, 2020
Absolute banger
— James (@FutbolJamess) March 11, 2020
The assists tho…
— 》AJ《 (@ArjunSinghJohal) March 11, 2020
The Baggies keeper has been the assured number one for West Brom for the entire league season, and his efforts in goal have been crucial to Bilic’s side currently sitting in an automatic promotion spot in the Championship table.