Karlan Grant and Matty Phillips to be axed – West Brom predicted XI v Blackpool
New West Brom manager Carlos Corberan has some big decisions to make ahead of the team’s clash with Blackpool on Tuesday night.
The Baggies were handily beaten in the boss’ first game in charge at the weekend, as Sheffield United earned a dominant 2-0 win while Corberan failed to get his new ideas across quickly enough.
But after an extra few days of training and getting to know the squad, some decisions have to be taken for the side ahead of what is a must-win game in the Championship.
Alex Palmer has wrestled the number one shirt from David Button this season and kept it for Corberan’s first game, so it’s unlikely that he will lose that spot so soon after earning it.
Corberan opted for a back three in his first game, but with Kyle Bartley set to return after a suspension he should be installed back into the side immediately despite poor performances.
That should see the boss go with his preferred back four system, and means Dara O’Shea is likely to partner him at the back while Semi Ajayi gets closer to a return to fitness.
Darnell Furlong played as a third centre-back in that weekend fixture, but should go to his more natural right back role here while Conor Townsend will likely be fielded as a left back.
Midfield is unlikely to change too much, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman continuing to impress in the centre while captain Jake Livermore will continue to play despite his own poor performances.
Corberan will be weary to changing too much too soon, and the inclusion of Livermore will see Okay Yokuslu and Jayson Molumby on the bench despite their obvious improvements in performance.
Further forward summer signing Jed Wallace has impressed this season on the right and should keep his place in the side, but fellow summer arrival John Swift should find his way back in.
After a decent start to the season, he has found himself on the bench recently, but his added goal threat and ability to link midfield with attack should make the new boss a big fan of his.
On the left Grady Diangana has had his best string of performances in a long while and will keep his place in the side too, meaning Karlan Grant is likely to be left out of the side.
Despite starting up front last time around, he struggled in build up and the fact he isn’t a natural striker won’t help him with Brandon Thomas-Asante looking good since joining.
He should be able to get the nod as the number nine and make a real push to claim a regular place before Daryl Dike returns from his long term injury.
Predicted West Brom XI vs Blackpool: Palmer; Furlong, O’Shea, Bartley, Townsend; Livermore, Gardner-Hickman; Wallace, Swift, Diangana; Thomas-Asante
In other West Brom news, Simon Jordan blasts Carlos Corberan appointment as “strange”