Joe Wildsmith looking to avoid headlines and emulating his departed West Brom team-mate
Joe Wildsmith is the man Tony Mowbray tasked with following departed number one Alex Palmer following his January move to Ipswich Town.
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Academy graduate Palmer had cemented himself as the Baggies' main man for the best part of two years - before his shock exit on transfer deadline day.
His move out of the door was followed by the recall of highly rated loanee Josh Griffiths from his latest stint away from the club, at League One Bristol Rovers.
That gave Mowbray an early decision to make - go with the young returning England u21 keeper or put Joe Wildsmith, a summer signing from Derby, who had hardly played this season, in the sticks.
He went with the latter, who had been waiting patiently for his time to shine, and he's performed well in his opening few games as Albion's current number one.
Wildsmith has big shoes to fill as he follows Palmer, however, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday youngster won't be looking to emulate his form team mate as he looks to stay out of the limelight and go under the radar.
He said: "I know what I bring to the table as a goalkeeper, every keeper's different, so for me to go out and emulate how Palms plays, for me, would be a recipe for disaster because he's him and I am me.
"Everyone has their own game, attributes, strengths, weaknesses, so going out on a game day I know what I can bring to the table for the team and I won't stray away from that by trying to be something I'm not.
"This position hasn't been much of an issue for Albion in previous years and the only thing I want to do is carry that on now, keeping things as low impact as possible on the limelight.
"I don't want people to talk about the goalkeeper. I'd rather people just stake past that and focus on the team."
It as a decision that split the supporters, with some feeling that Griffiths, who has excelled out on loan, should have been given a chance.
Even though Wildsmith himself got the nod, he is well aware he needs to perform to keep his spot.
He added: "I know exactly how it can be not to be picked, but Josh will be fine.
"He is a big lad and I'm sure he's been on these calls before.
"Unfortunately, it has to be one of us and there's a good and a bad side to the decision.
"Now, the pressure pushes to me to keep my standards high and push and try and make the role mine.
"The gaffer has been very clear with me that, whoever gets the shot in goal, it's theirs until he is given a reason for it not to be."
