Alex Mowatt was ‘battering’ team-mate as he seeks fresh start at West Brom
Alex Mowatt has revealed he “battered” team-mate Conor Townsend’s phone about Carlos Corberan while out on loan at Middlesbrough as he seeks a fresh start with West Brom, according to the Express and Star.
The outlet reported (21 July) that, despite his loan spell, Mowatt was keen to stay in touch to learn about the Baggies boss’ training style from Townsend but also notes that Corberan himself reached out to him a few weeks after he got the job in 2022.
Mowatt has claimed that his new season at the Hawthorns could be a “fresh start” under the Spaniard as he aims to impress ahead of the Baggies’ Championship campaign.
Discussing his future, Mowatt said: “I was battering Conor with messages.
“I was asking ‘What’s the gaffer like?’ ‘Do you think he will like me?’ Things like that – that’s what you do!
“I spoke with the gaffer here in November, he rang me. It was a long call, 20 minutes just speaking about football, he knows everything about football, every loan I’ve been on.
“It’s a fresh start for me,” he said. “A totally different manager, totally different staff, it’s about me trying to impress and working hard, also learning what the gaffer wants and trying to do it on the pitch.”
New Beginning
Mowatt’s loan spell at Middlesbrough was a decent one for the 28-year-old.
His excitement and eagerness to work under Baggies boss Corberan should reassure West Brom fans that he will return to the club with the appropriate mindset ready for a tough season in the second tier.
While the Englishman is not a prolific goalscorer, he can dominate the midfield as he did in 29 appearances for Boro last season and will look to replicate this under Corberan next season.
Despite not scoring under Michael Carrick at Boro last term, Mowatt has a quality goal in his locker and has popped up with screamers throughout his time with West Brom.
His stats show that he could have an impact at the Hawthorns next season too. His 1.50 aerial duels won per 90 (84th percentile) and 6.38 progressive passes per 90 (78th percentile) [FBRef] show him to be influential in the middle of the park and able to dispossess the opposition and spring attacking players into action.
West Brom may need this profile of player in their attempt to push towards the promotion places next season, but perhaps his personality and eagerness to understand Corberan’s philosophy is the key attribute to his Baggies’ success next season.
The Hawthorns faithful will hope that Mowatt can have a new beginning back at West Brom and that he can be a dominant force next season as he was for a strong Boro side last term, as the club look to end their spell in the second tier and return to the Premier League.
In other West Brom news, journalist Dean Jones has given his verdict on the Baggies’ financial situation ahead of their third Championship season.