Goran Popov, the lone Macedonian player whose club team had a game today, was once again left off the West Brom squad in their 3:3 draw against West Ham.

New manager, same old status.  Despite the appointment of a new manager in Keith Downing, the status of Goran Popov has remained the same.  He was once again left out of the matchday squad in Saturday’s 3:3 draw against West Ham.  Liam Ridgewell was preferred at left-back by Downing, which was also the case under the previous manager, Steve Clarke, as well.

While many of the top European leagues pause during the Christmas/New Year period, England’s top flight doubles down and plays four rounds in the span of a week and a half.  During such period, a team’s depth is tested and the deeper clubs are usually beneficiary of the quick succession of games. 

Saturday’s game was West Brom’s second in three days since they were also in action this past Thursday.  Up next, West Brom has two additional games over the next week against Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.  We shall see if Popov gets a chance to suit up in any of those two games.

On Sunday, Stefan Ristovski is the only Macedonian international whose club team has a scheduled game, but Ristovski was not summoned in the Latina squad for the trip to Spezia due to a thigh injury.