Express & Star

Darren Moore: Harvey Barnes and Mason Mount are taking Championship by storm

Harvey Barnes and Mason Mount are the two players taking the Championship by storm this season, according to Baggies boss Darren Moore.

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Harvey Barnes and Mason Mount. (AMA)

Barnes, 20, and Mount, 19, meet at The Hawthorns on Wednesday night when Albion host Derby County.

Both youngsters already have five goals to their name, having been given free roles behind the strikers by their respective managers.

And Moore believes they are the two stand-out youngsters in the league.

"Both players are taking this division by storm in their own right," said Moore. "Derby are delighted to have Mason, we're delighted to have Harvey.

"Both players will be on show on Wednesday so we'll see how they get on."

However, Moore is aware there is far more to Frank Lampard's team than just the Chelsea loanee, and he won't be focusing all his attention on Mount.

He's also warned Wednesday's visitors that Albion have more threats on the pitch than just Barnes.

"Mason Mount has done really well," said Moore. "His future looks bright.

"But it's not just him, there are many players for Derby who bring an attacking flair and team cohesion and we're going to have to be at our very best.

"Derby are a good team. You can't pick one individual. They have talented players all over the pitch.

"And if they try to stop Harvey, we've got other players on the pitch. Both teams have got attack minded players elsewhere."

Derby arrive at The Hawthorns just three points behind the Baggies following Albion's defeat to Wigan at the weekend.

But Moore dismissed the notion this game and the upcoming home fixture with Blackburn would give a gauge of how good his side really are.

"I don't think it's a gauge," he said. "I'll gauge it further down the line. To me this is just the start. It really is a marathon, this division.

"I won't look too far in the future, there's a long way to go and a lot of football to be played.

"This game has brought a lot of hype because both teams are near the top of the division.

"It's an exciting fixture because of the attacking prowess both clubs have shown but for me and Frank it's just another game."