Jeremy Sarmiento, Brandon Thomas-Asante dropped in five changes – West Brom starting XI v Preston North End
Carlos Corberan has made five changes to his West Brom starting line-up for Saturday’s (30 September) Championship clash at high-flying Preston.
Jeremy Sarmiento and Brandon Thomas-Asante were among those to be dropped from the side that drew 0-0 with Millwall last time out, while Semi Ajayi, who misses out on the squad altogether, Jayson Molumby and Conor Townsend all drop out.
As confirmed by the club’s Twitter account, Cedric Kipre returned in defence, while Okay Yokuslu was recalled in midfield. Darnelly Furlong was named at right wing-back meaning Matt Phillips moved over to the left. John Swift and skipper Jed Wallace came back in to form a front three with Grady Diangana.
End the draws
If you were to give West Brom a report card for their early season form, you would probably rate them at around a C.
There have been some positive performances but also some underwhelming ones, and Carlos Corberan will be disappointed not to have seen a few more ticks in the win column through eight matches.
The Baggies were beaten by Huddersfield Town prior to the international break, and since returning to domestic action the issue has been draws, insofar as West Brom have drawn three in a row.
On the one hand, Baggies fans can take heart from the fact they are proving difficult to beat and have not lost those matches. On the other, it is now four games in a row they have failed to win and it does not get any easier at Deepdale against a Preston side who are third in the table and unbeaten in the Championship so far this season.
But unbeaten records are there to be broken, so Corberan and his side need to go out and find a bit of momentum to close towards those top-six places.
In other West Brom news, a key member of the behind-the-scenes team at The Hawthorns has left for the Premier League.