Mowbray makes Maja transfer admission before West Brom meet Blackburn
West Brom have stacks of attacking firepower following the closure of the winter transfer window.
The Baggies brought in several forward reinforcements including Adam Armstrong, Will Lankshear and Tammer Bany, but Tony Mowbray remembers what he has in leading scorer Josh Maja.
The striker has suffered with an injury absence stretching back to 4 January against Swansea City, meaning he is yet to make an appearance under his new manager.
Mowbray nearly signed Maja at Blackburn
Mowbray is certainly a huge fan of Maja, revealing via the Express & Star (11 February) that the 26-year-old was “in the building” to sign for Blackburn under the Baggies boss some time ago.
Maja has plenty of English football experience elsewhere, having represented both Sunderland and Fulham as well as time in France with Bordeaux.
Albion meet Rovers on Wednesday night (12 February) at The Hawthorns in a potentially vital clash in terms of the race for the top six.
“I haven’t sat down with him for a one-on-one yet, but I do know Josh because we had him in the building at Blackburn Rovers not too many years ago, trying to sign him,” Mowbray said.
“It didn’t happen, but he’s a nice kid. We selected him at Blackburn because we felt he was a player who could help and we have inherited him at this club.”
West Brom must become more consistent
The issue frustrating many fans at West Brom earlier this campaign was the sheer number of draws they churned out under a still-valued former manager in Carlos Corberan.
There have been two wins and two defeats apiece for Albion in the last four, having not yet drawn under Mowbray by contrast. The dramatic ending to the victory over Sheffield Wednesday should be a springboard.
Blackburn are similarly inconsistent at times but possess a threat of which Mowbray must be wary, with several players still remaining at Ewood Park from his five-year stint.
Drama is currently ensuing in the Blackburn camp, with John Eustace – previously linked with becoming Corberan’s Baggies successor – having requested to speak to Derby County about their managerial vacancy.