Taylor, 21, entered Ian Evatt’s starting lineup right away when the Trotters and promotion rivals Barnsley drew 1-1 on Saturday at The Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The Albion loanee was replaced in the 68th minute, but Evatt revealed following the game that the centre back’s withdrawal was because of cramps.
He said, “Caleb was just cramp.” (via the Bolton News).
“He has had a busy week, travelling here to play for a day without knowing which club he would be playing for, but everything is fine.”
Taylor needed the opportunity to play football with the first team, having only made three appearances in championship games.
The occasional stand-in excursion isn’t the kind of experience required to advance his growth. Bolton feels like the obvious next step after spending time on loan with Cheltenham in the past.
Sending Taylor out on loan, though, might end up being a mistake for the Baggies.
Considering Albion’s present central defence alternatives, the 21-year-old may have been ready to establish himself as a fixture in Carlos Corberan’s first-team plans after making an impression during his season-long stay with The Robins.
There may not be enough centre defenders for West Brom.
It’s true that Corberan’s defensive choices are becoming older.
With the exception of Cedric Kipre, who is 27 years old, Kyle Bartley, 32, Erik Pieters, 35, and Semi Ajayi, 30 are all approaching the end of their careers.
The Spaniard’s preferred duo has been Kipre and Bartley; the former has started all 29 of the Baggies’ Championship games.
Pieters, 35, and the infrequently utilised Ajayi are Albion’s backup choices. Given the age of West Brom’s centre defenders, allowing Taylor to leave seems like a bit of a gamble.
Bartley and Pieters are not getting any younger, so the Baggies may be in a tight spot if an injury occurs.
Although Ajayi hasn’t been a consistent starter, he might be thrown in to partner Kipre at the centre of Corberan’s defence.
Carlos Corberan needs to use his whole West Brom Squad.
As mentioned earlier, Corberan needs to use his entire team.
The playoff race is heating up, and mistakes will have dire consequences.
Undoubtedly, injuries and bad play will have an impact, but at the conclusion of the season, the teams with depth could emerge victorious.
It will be crucial for West Brom to give players like Bartley a break.
Since Corberan’s arrival, the 32-year-old has had a phenomenal comeback, and the former Swansea player is likely the first name on the squad sheet for the Baggies.
Maintaining his fitness for West Brom’s remaining games might mean the difference between finishing on the right side of the scoreboard and having a competent stand-in.
The least Albion can hope for, given the 21-year-old’s announced departure, is a longer playing schedule for Evatt’s team in what appears to be an automatic promotion push.
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