West Brom confirmed XI v Nottingham Forest: Callum Robinson benched as Bruce makes 3 changes
Steve Bruce’s confirmed West Brom starting XI for the Championship visit to Nottingham Forest tonight (18 April) has been confirmed.
The manager has made three changes to the line-up from the win over Blackpool, as Conor Townsend, Alex Mowatt and Kyle Bartley all come in.
Semi Ajayi, Jayson Molumby and Callum Robinson are the trio to drop out.
David Button stays in goal with Sam Johnstone set to exit in the summer, with Bartley, Matt Clarke and Dara O’Shea in front of him.
Townsend and Darnell Furlong are likely to be the wing-backs on either side of a midfield consisting of captain Jake Livermor, Mowatt, and likely Adam Reach shifting inside.
Andy Carroll and match-winner Karlan Grant stay together up front.
Inconsistent
This side continues to infuriate as it swings wildly from uplifting results to depressing ones and back again.
Grant’s injury-time winner over Blackpool on Friday (15 April) leaves the Baggies just six points from the playoffs with four games remaining.
The chances of sneaking in look slim, barring a major slip up from multiple teams above.
And with a deflating performance in the mould of the 3-1 home loss to Stoke in the previous game always around the corner, it remains to be seen whether this side could maintain form with actual pressure on.
The supercomputer at FiveThirtyEight gives Bruce’s men a three per-cent chance of making it, and while it is still a possibility they have a duty to keep fighting for it.
A win over fifth-placed Forest would be a sign that the unlikely is possible, both in terms of Baggies ability and let downs from other teams.
But what seems more likely at this stage is an extended dress rehearsal for players looking to impress the manager ahead of next season.
In other West Brom news, Bruce has threatened that one player won’t be getting the contract talks he wants unless he makes one big change.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Baggies plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.