Alex Mowatt could start v Watford as Corberan salutes ‘perfect’ attributes for West Brom
Alex Mowatt could be in line to start for West Brom as they travel to Watford after Carlos Corberan saluted his “perfect” attributes that make him ideal for his current system.
Corberan has stated that Mowatt, alongside Jeremy Sarmiento, could start the clash at Vicarage Road, but if not then they will play against Millwall at the weekend. Both are still awaiting their first starts of the season.
The Baggies boss claimed Mowatt has more potential to start in the team when they play with three, or five, at the back, with his game perfectly suited for possession football.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on 19 September, and reported by Birmingham Live, Corberan stated: “Mowatt is ready. He could play Wednesday or the next game, but I think probably he will play one of the next two games in the first XI.
“He’s a player who is very useful. He is a player who brings something different, from all the players that we have.
“He is a player who, when you play with three at the back, he has more options to start in the team. It depends on what you want – if you want the ball, he is perfect for that. To make a high press, he is a player who is in transition.
“He’s more intelligent than quick. We are working to develop his physical resources too, but his mind and his foot are top.”
High praise from the boss
For Corberan to have come out with such high praise of Mowatt will be a massive confidence boost to the player, who will now feel he is ready with the backing of his manager to go out and perform to the best of his ability for West Brom in the Championship.
It has been accepted by all around the club that the squad is not as big or competitive as people would probably like it to be, but for players like Mowatt, it gives them an opportunity to stake their claim for a starting place and try to play their way into contention.
As the fixtures come thick and fast in the Championship, rotation will always be necessary, and having the manager speak so positively about you in public will prime the players to step into the side when they need to be called upon.
The same goes for Jeremy Sarmiento, who is also in line to play one of this week’s fixtures and will be keenly awaiting his first chance to show what he can do from the start.
In other West Brom news, one star will now need to step up after recent injury news.