Steve Bruce makes big team decision, Carroll to start – West Brom Predicted XI v Huddersfield
Steve Bruce has got some decisions to make against Huddersfield after finally getting his first win in charge as manager of West Brom last week.
The Baggies will take on playoff hopefuls Huddersfield on Friday night at The Hawthorns, fresh off a 2-0 win over Hull on Saturday where they picked up their first three points since January.
All the players seemed to perform well on the day and the manager must make a decision now on whether to let the momentum continue or make a some changes to a winning formula.
One thing highly unlikely to change is the defensive part of the pitch.
Sam Johnstone is the undisputed number one at the club and had a good game against Hull, where he made three saves.
Ahead of him, Bruce will likely stick with his five-at-the-back formation which consisted of Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Matthew Clarke in the centre with Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong in the wing-back positions.
There was a good balance of defensive solidity and ability to build attacks with that unit and after a first clean sheet in three games that’s unlikely to change.
Jake Livermore came back into the side after his suspension and was influential in a holding role, making a match-high six tackles and setting the tempo.
But it was youngster Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s inclusion which caught the eye, as the youngster impressed in a more central position alongside Alex Mowatt in midfield.
Mowatt earned an assist and with Gardner-Hickman one of the best players on the pitch, Bruce would be crazy to change that.
Top scorer Karlan Grant took his tally to 12 for the season with a match-winning brace so should start, but his strike partner could change for this one.
Callum Robinson wasn’t the best on the day and that could open the door for Andy Carroll to come back into the side and use his physical abilities to help trouble the Huddersfield side.
Predicted XI: Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend; Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Mowatt; Carroll, Grant.
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