Carlos Corberan makes two changes, Pipa and Josh Maja decisions made – West Brom starting XI v Bristol City
Carlos Corberan has made two changes as West Brom take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon [16 September].
The Albion boss had big decisions to make on whether to hand deadline-day signing Pipa his first start, while Josh Maja was pushing for a full debut.
However, both players have been named among the visitors’ substitutes, with Darnell Furlong starting at right-back and in-form Brandon Thomas-Asante leading the line.
Semi Ajayi and Erik Pieters return to the backline in place of Kyle Bartley and Conor Townsend, who are on the bench.
The midfield five and Thomas-Asante are otherwise unchanged from the 2-1 loss to Huddersfield Town two weeks ago.
Back on track
The home defeat to Huddersfield Town prior to the international break has put a slightly negative slant on Albion’s start to the season.
Seven points from five games overall has the Baggies 12th in the Championship, three points adrift of the play-off places at this still-early stage in proceedings.
Albion could find themselves closer to the top six – or indeed in it – come full-time at Ashton Gate, or possibly looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.
Every result counts at this stage in the season given the congested nature of the table, and hopefully the travelling supporters in Bristol are left feeling happy.
This is the first of six games over the next three weeks until the next international break, meaning a real chance to build some much-needed momentum.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has told a player to “recover his level” after a mixed start to the season.