Dan Carter

Mon 22 January 2024 8:10, UK

After brilliant back-to-back 4-1 wins over Aldershot Town and Blackburn Rovers, West Brom came crashing back down to earth with a 2-0 defeat to Norwich at Carrow Road.

Albion were well beaten by David Wagner’s side on Saturday (21 January) as goals from Josh Sargent and Jonathan Rowe ensured that Carlos Corberan’s Baggies moved within three points of dropping out of the playoff places.

While the result alone would have been disappointing for West Brom supporters, the news that Jayson Molumby is set for three months on the sidelines as the Republic of Ireland international requires surgery for an issue with his right foot [Lewis Cox, 10 January] only compounded the misery.

Molumby joins the likes of Josh Maja and Matt Phillips on The Hawthorns treatment table, with Corberan’s options seemingly becoming more limited with each and every passing week.

However, Sunday (21 January) brought with it another potential selection blow for the Baggies as Grady Diangana’s DR Congo picked up a vital point in their African Cup of Nations clash with Morocco.

The West Brom winger was an unused substitute during Sunday’s clash and it seemed for much of the game as though his tournament could be coming to an end as Achraf Hakimi’s goal went unanswered until the 76th minute when Stuttgart forward Silas levelled things up.

A draw would have all but ended DR Congo’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament, but the late equaliser means that Group E hangs in the balance ahead of the final round of fixtures on Wednesday (24 January).

If Diangana’s side managed to beat Tanzania in their final match, they would have likely done enough to book their place in the next round and therefore extend their stay at the tournament.

That would mean that Corberan and the West Brom supporters would have to wait even longer to see Diangana back in action at The Hawthorns, which could be a potentially huge blow at a crucial stage of the season.

While no Albion supporters will be hoping that one of their players loses on international duty, there will be a large percentage of the Baggies’ fanbase praying that DR Congo lose their final game so they can see the 25-year-old in blue and white sooner rather than later.

In other West Brom news, Alan Nixon has shared an update on Albion’s plans for the remainder of the transfer window

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