View: Predicted West Brom XI v Coventry
West Brom begin their charge for momentum into the new season this afternoon and Steve Bruce is expected to go with a strong side against Coventry.
The Baggies were thumped 4-0 by Nottingham Forest on Monday night, ending their slim playoff chances dead in their tracks.
But Bruce has shared that he will be in charge of the club next season, and after revealing plans for the new campaign are in motion he can start to show that with his team selection here.
Sam Johnstone will be leaving the club in the summer on a free transfer, and with the club trying to get David Button to sign a new deal he should continue in goal.
Central defence has been an area that Bruce hasn’t chopped and changed much this season and he is likely to return to his most trusted three with Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Matthew Clarke together.
Darnell Furlong is suspended after his red card against Forest, so Dara O’Shea could move to the wing-back role in the only change to the back line. Connor Townsend should continue on the left.
In midfield, captain Jake Livermore has started even in the rotated teams recently so he should keep his place in the holding role.
But the team looked bereft of passion and creativity without Taylor Gardner-Hickman, so the youngster should come back into the side alongside the skipper in midfield.
Adam Reach has been a favourite of Bruce’s during his tenure and will likely get another chance to impress in the third midfield position with Bruce having seen all he needs to see from Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby.
Andy Carroll is battling for a contract extension at the club and is one of the only players getting a positive reaction from fans currently, so he should start again.
Despite a tantrum when he was substituted against Forest, Karlan Grant is still the team’s top scorer this season and should get the nod once again ahead of Callum Robinson and Grady Diangana.
Predicted West Brom XI v Coventry: Button; Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke; O’Shea, Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Reach, Townsend; Carroll, Grant.
In other West Brom news, Sky Sports pundit predicts result of West Brom clash v Coventry
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