Unchanged team, Dike and Carroll out of squad – Confirmed West Brom XI v Bristol City
Steve Bruce has named another unchanged starting line up as West Brom take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate in the Championship this afternoon.
The Baggies have claimed seven points from their last nine available, with huge wins against Hull and Fulham either side of a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Huddersfield.
Those good results have seen Bruce stick with his largely successful starting team, meaning youngster Taylor Gardner-Hickman gets another start in midfield.
Alex Mowatt has shaken off a knock and Sam Johnstone has recovered from illness to start too, while striker Andy Carroll isn’t fit enough for a place on the bench after a minor knock. Daryl Dike is also not involved at all.
Confirmed West Brom XI: Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend; Livermore, Gardner-Hickman, Mowatt; Grant, Robinson.
No need to change
Don’t try to fix what isn’t broken, and West Brom are far from broken right now in the current setup under Bruce.
The five-at-the-back system is perfectly suited to the squad and the manager has found the perfect balance in midfield and attack to remain solid defensively but also be a threat going forward.
Grant has scored three goals in three games as a striker so far and will look to continue that run here, as he tries to extend his run as the club’s top scorer this season.
West Brom know they must win all their remaining Championship games to stand any sort of chance of making the playoffs at the end of the season, following a horrible mid-season run.
They currently sit six points off the top six with nine games remaining (including today) so maximum points are the only thing acceptable as they try and create a miracle.
In other West Brom news, Jeff Stelling predicts result of West Brom clash v Bristol City, Sky Sports pundit disagrees