West Brom star apologises to Tony Mowbray after loss v Sunderland
West Brom’s playoff hopes took another serious dent as Tony Mowbray’s men suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.
Trai Hume’s first-half strike proved to be the difference as the Baggies were unable to find an equaliser against their fellow top-six challengers.
Daryl Dike missed a key opportunity late on after Mowbray made a host of attacking substitutions in the second half.
The Baggies have now managed just one win from their last five Championship outings and have slipped to eighth in the table.
Joe Wildsmith apologises to Mowbray after significant error
The Hawthorns faithful believed Joe Wildsmith should have kept Hume’s free kick at bay, but he was deceived by the Northern Ireland international’s effort.
After West Brom’s defeat to Sunderland, Mowbray told BBC Radio WM (5 April) that Wildsmith took responsibility for his error: “Joe has apologised, I think he tried to punch it and missed it completely.
“It was a mistake and we have to take that on the chin.”
West Brom’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread
After Albion’s defeat to Sunderland, the Baggies’ top-six challenge is no longer in their own hands, as they have slipped out of the playoff places.
| Championship table (4th – 8th) | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 4 Sunderland | 40 | 20 | 75 |
| 5 Middlesbrough | 40 | 12 | 60 |
| 6 Bristol City | 40 | 8 | 60 |
| 7 Coventry | 40 | 4 | 59 |
| 8 West Brom | 40 | 12 | 57 |
West Brom’s loss to the Mackems was, unfortunately, coupled with Bristol City’s 2-1 win over fellow playoff chasers Watford at Ashton Gate.
Mowbray’s men travel to face Bristol City on Tuesday, 8 April, and will be keen to knock the West Country outfit off their current top-six perch.
However, the Robins are on better form than the Baggies heading into Tuesday’s crunch clash, after winning two of their last three Championship games, whereas Albion have now suffered two consecutive defeats.
Additionally, Coventry still sit one place above West Brom in the Championship despite losing each of their last two games.
Furthermore, the Sky Blues suffered those two defeats to Sheffield United and Burnley, who currently occupy the automatic promotion spots.
Frank Lampard’s men should also fancy their chances of beating Portsmouth this Tuesday, which would spell further trouble for Mowbray and Co.