Mowbray faces backlash for Grant decision – West Brom confirmed XI v Portsmouth
Tony Mowbray could dampen his popularity at West Brom after dropping Karlan Grant from his starting XI to face Portsmouth on Saturday.
Albion named their starting side on X (25 January) with two changes made from the team which fell to a 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, with Grant and Jayson Molumby both dropping out.
Molumby misses the game altogether due to illness, but Grant is benched, with both John Swift and club captain Jed Wallace coming into the side in what appears to be a front three including the latter alongside the exit-linked Grady Diangana and Tom Fellows.
Karlan Grant decision will baffle fans for West Brom v Portsmouth
Grant has been one of Albion's standout performers so far this term, and in the absence of Josh Maja through injury – and the lack of a new striker so far in the transfer window – he's surely a must-pick.
Few other forward players in Mowbray's squad at the moment, other than perennial substitute Devante Cole, have the physical presence to lead the line up front, despite Grant not being a natural striker.
Dropping him to the bench with no sign of an obvious replacement up front could leave the Baggies severely blunted in the final third, despite facing a Portsmouth side which has leaked goals at will.
Swift's performances this term have hardly been endearing to The Hawthorns faithful, and many will hope to see a debut for newly-signed midfielder Isaac Price – who has also been named on the bench.
Wallace's effectiveness as a substitute has also left a lot to be desired, and while Mowbray will hope his captain can play better as a starter, many Albion fans would prefer to see him in the opposition's colours.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies are looking to get ahead of the competition in their bid to sign a highly-rated Chelsea star.