{"id":394005,"date":"2019-03-26T23:29:10","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T03:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=394005"},"modified":"2019-03-26T23:29:10","modified_gmt":"2019-03-27T03:29:10","slug":"chris-brunt-west-bromwich-albion-captain-still-influential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/03\/26\/chris-brunt-west-bromwich-albion-captain-still-influential\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Brunt: West Bromwich Albion Captain Still Influential"},"content":{"rendered":"

West Bromwich Albion<\/a> veteran Chris Brunt<\/a> is heading towards the end of his 12th season with the club. As the former Northern Ireland international approaches his 35th birthday, speculation about his future continues. Brunt says he has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet, but will he be lacing up those boots for another campaign at The Hawthorns? He is currently West Brom captain and still capable of being an influential\u00a0member of the squd.<\/p>\n

Chris Brunt<\/a>: Still Influential<\/h1>\n

History<\/h2>\n

Whatever happens with West Bromwich Albion and Chris Brunt this summer, his time with the Baggies has been memorable. He joined in the summer of 2007 from Sheffield Wednesday for \u00a33million and has gone on to make over 400 appearances. One of only 17 players to reach the landmark in the club\u2019s 141-year history. Signed as a left midfielder, Brunt would show his versatility and reliability throughout the years. During his time at The Hawthorns he\u2019s occupied every position across Albion\u2019s midfield. Also featuring at left back in spells.<\/p>\n

Brunt has staked his claim on a place in the annals of Albion history. A pivotal part of West Brom\u2019s transition from yo-yo club to Premier League regulars. Helping West Brom maintain a lengthy top flight stay, he was integral to the side that earned Albion\u2019s highest ever Premier League finish – 8th in 2012\/13.<\/p>\n

This Season\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

He no longer possesses the agility of youth needed to get up and down the wing but Brunt is still a big influence in this Albion side. He\u2019s evolved into a permanently central player, interim boss James Shan playing him as the deepest lying midfielder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His ability to carve out chances for his teammates with his notoriously accurate left foot remains his signature. He is responsible for 11.3% of West Brom\u2019s high quality chances this season, third highest in the squad. He continues to to be a familiar face in Albion matches despite approaching the twilight years of his career. 26 appearances this season keeps up his personal record of never playing fewer than 25 games in a West Brom campaign. Only failing to reach 30 appearances twice.<\/p>\n

A costly error in his landmark 400th club appearance handed Middlesbrough all three points back in February and led to Darren Moore dropping his captain. West Brom\u2019s form plummeted and seven games later they were without a manager and cut adrift of automatic promotion. James Shan\u2019s first decision as interim manager was to reinstate Chris Brunt to the starting 11. A goal and an assist against Swansea followed by a solid performance against Brentford and Brunt had helped the Baggies earn back to back wins.<\/p>\n

Still Influential\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Chris Brunt wants to achieve a third promotion with West Bromwich Albion and remain at the club next season. But is unlikely to know with any certainty until the summer with West Brom still without a permanent manager. The veteran has seen his fair share of managerial changes in his time at The Hawthorns. He\u2019s played under nine different head coaches, being selected by most. Something he hopes will continue, and why wouldn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

Chris Brunt has adapted his game to accommodate his limitations whilst still causing havoc with his characteristic left-footed delivery. Few players in the league would you want stepping up to a dead ball. He has surpassed all expectation since his arrival at the Midlands club. The only player to reach 250 Premier League appearances, he currently sits inside the top 40 for all time Premier League assists. Brunt is West Bromwich Albion\u2019s top goalscorer of the 21st century, he is still massively influential, and he\u2019s not done yet.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>