View: West Brom blow could end up being blessing in disguise
Romaine Sawyers faces a three-match ban after being shown a straight red card as West Brom won 3-0 against Bristol City on Saturday.
In the second half at Ashton Gate, the 28-year-old grabbed his former Walsall team-mate Jamie Paterson at the neck, leading to Darren England handing the Baggies playmaker his marching orders.
As Sawyers appeared to be sent off for violent conduct, he could miss West Brom’s next three matches.
It means that Slaven Bilic will have to find a replacement for Sawyers when the Baggies take on Preston, Wigan and FA Cup sixth-round opponents Newcastle.
Luckily, all three matches are at The Hawthorns and one of them is not going to have a direct impact on the Championship due to Albion’s impressive run in the FA Cup.
However, what is also lucky is that Sawyers’ red card could be a blessing in disguise.
Before the trip to Bristol City this weekend, the ex-Brentford midfielder had been criticised by sections of the West Brom support.
It was suggested, after his display in the 2-2 draw against Forest last week, that the playmaker could do with a rest so that he can rediscover his form from earlier in the campaign.
And now that he is set to be banned for three matches – as long as West Brom do not win an appeal against his red card – Sawyers could get the rest he needs.
That might end up being a blessing in disguise for West Brom.
Albion’s nearest promotion rivals Leeds have had something similar happen to them recently when Kalvin Phillips was sent off against QPR and handed a three-match ban.
After he returned he helped Leeds get a point at Brentford and earn back-to-back wins against Bristol City and Reading.
It is annoying that Sawyers is set to miss the upcoming games but by the time the Baggies travel to Wales to play Swansea on March 7, their midfield playmaker could be back to his former self.
In other West Brom news, Bilic has explained why he made one change for the trip to Ashton Gate.