West Brom flyer Tom Fellows deserves more slack than other players

When you hear the term 'burst onto the scene', it is any easy one to attribute to the rising Albion star.

He was thrust into first team action at Birmingham City last season, and from the turn of the year he never looked back.

The Fellows 'drag', or the Fellows 'stepover', tormented full backs last season. They couldn't live with this livewire who could go this way and that.

I genuinely asked a question of the legend that is Tony Brown last season, stating I didn't know what foot was his stronger one.

Whether he goes on his right or left, he is just as strong and that is rare for a winger and even rarer for a young winger.

Earlier this season, he started as he finished the last with his assists now helping to rack up the goals for Josh Maja.

And he has continued that. In just 16 appearances this season, he has already doubled his goal tally. Yet their have been some question marks around his displays of late.

Fellows will admit himself that he has gone off the boil somewhat, compared to the way he had been performing.

On one hand, it is a case of rising expectations for a player who seemingly until last season had little chance of breaking through in many people's eyes.

He has come in, been on the top of his game, earned under 21 honours, scored on the international stage and been subject to multi-million pound interest from the Premier League.

All in less than a year.

Even though he has been off the boil in recent weeks, he has still set up big chances. Maja's goal at Norwich, Maja's golden chance at Sunderland are two examples.

He may not be flying but he is contributing. And even if he isn't contributing, people have to remember that he is still a very young player in the early stages of career.

It is only natural that he has a dip in form, it is going to happen. He'll no doubt hit the straps again, and then have another dip. 

It happens with young players. And in Fellows' case, because of his circumstances, he deserves a bit more slack for a dip in form than maybe some other senior Baggies players who have just dropped off.