Darren Fletcher urges Tottenham target Saido Berahino to buckle down at West Brom

DARREN FLETCHER has told moody West Brom team-mate Saido Berahino to stop wrecking his career.

 

Darren Fletcher has stern words for unhappy West Brom striker Saido Berahino

 

The 22-year-old's tantrums are giving him a troublesome reputation and Baggies boss Tony Pulis is having none of it, relegating the £20million-rated Tottenham target to the bench and warning him to buckle down.

Now skipper Fletcher has had words with the young striker in the hope of turning his career around.

Fletcher has a bulging trophy cabinet which includes four Premier League titles, a Champions League winner's medal, an FA Cup winners' medal, two League Cups and a World Club Cup winners' medal. Throw in 70 Scotland caps from his time at Manchester United and Fletcher should almost be charging for his advice.

 

But Berahino continues to sulk around The Hawthorns and has been a player in turmoil following the collapse of his big-money switch to Spurs on deadline day.

"He's had a difficult time," said Fletcher. "I've spoken to Saido - a lot of people have. He's a really good kid who does silly things at times that you can get really frustrated with."

Fletcher says the biggest heartache is seeing a potential star failing to harness his true potential.

 

"The biggest frustration is how good a player he is - he's really talented," said Fletcher. "He does things that are a little bit petulant at times but he's still young and you have to remember that."

Fletcher was at pains to point out the striker hasn't burned his bridges with his team-mates. "He's well liked," he added.

"We will see what happens in January but he's always welcome here because we think highly of him and want him to do well in the game."

 

Berahino found himself among the subs for the 1-0 win over Newcastle with Pulis announcing he was "lucky to even be on the bench".

"I've always been a manager that wants a team to be a group. I want everybody to be together," he added.

"Sometimes Saido does things that break away from that. He's been told and he's fine."

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