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This article is part of Football FanCast's Off the Bench series, which places in-game managerial decisions and squad selections under FFC's microscope.

West Brom were perhaps quite fortunate to come away with a point from Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.

Fulham had 69.2% of the possession whilst also having 17 shots to Albion's nine, according to WhoScored.

Anthony Knockaert opening the scoring but it was Semi Ajayi who managed to get the visitors back into proceedings, ensuring that Slaven Bilic's team remain unbeaten.

The Baggies clearly struggled but it was the Croatian's changes that meant they were able to get back into things.

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Off the bench

The substitute that made the biggest difference in the game was West Brom academy product Kyle Edwards, putting in a performance that displayed just how good their academy is at producing first-team players.

Throughout the years Albion have seen some of their best talents leave. Izzy Brown, Kemar Roofe and Tyler Roberts are just a few whilst even Louie Barry and Morgan Rogers left in the summer.

However, Edwards' introduction for the more experienced Matt Phillips shows why more trust should be given to these young individuals.

The 21-year-old helped change the game and made three dribbles when he came on in just over half an hour after Bilic's brave decision to take Jake Livermore and Phillips off. That number, however, was the highest of anyone in the entirety of the game as he also made two tackles.

It was a display that demonstrated his abilities at both ends of the pitch, showing something that neither Grady Diangana or Phillips managed.

The West Ham loanee managed just one dribble, whereas the latter didn't achieve any.

Bilic hasn't been afraid to blood the youth in 2019/20, also starting Nathan Ferguson at times but the short cameo from Edwards showed why greater faith must be put in these types of players.

Considering some of their experienced heads let them down on Saturday, they could do a lot worse than placing more trust in Edwards and players even younger than him.

After reaching the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup last term, it shows they've got the talent at their disposal.

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