Kevin Phillips: West Brom may play never-before-seen player v Coventry
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has insisted that West Brom have a midfield selection crisis to solve in their side for the Championship clash against Coventry.
The former Baggies star admitted that Valerien Ismael could hand a debut to a never-before-seen player on Saturday afternoon.
It was confirmed today (3rd December) that Jake Livermore, Jayson Molumby and Robert Snodgrass will all be missing.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, Phillips believes that playing a central defender further forward could be the smartest answer.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he picked somebody we haven’t seen before.
“He could also stick a centre-halve in there, we’ve seen with Ben White when he played there for Leeds, you could stick someone in and just say stick in front of that back four.
“It’s going to be a tough game at Coventry, they’re in good form, and they’re a tough side. They will cause problems so it’s come at a time with those most influential midfielders out, the time of the season when they’re in a bad run.
“It’s just about getting out of there with points, if it’s a point, great. He may surprise us and put someone in who we never thought could play there.“
Alex Mowatt is the only out-and-out centre-midfielder available to Ismael tomorrow, and that could be a real problem.
Academy options lead us to believe that Quevin Castro would be the first choice to step into that role, but there could be other alternatives.
Semi Ajayi is another contender looking at the squad, and that one may be exactly what happens with his past in that position at Rotherham.
Time will tell what happens, but it won’t be a familiar look.
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