West Brom fans baffled as Tony Mowbray confirms starting XI v Sunderland – ‘Mad’
Tony Mowbray has made three changes to his West Brom starting line-up as they prepare to face Sunderland on Saturday.
Albion will look to climb back into the playoff spots when they host Sunderland at The Hawthorns on 5 April after Middlesbrough’s 2-0 win against Blackburn on Friday (3 April) saw them drop to seventh place.
The Baggies have dropped seven points in their last three games, including a 1-0 loss against Norwich at Carrow Road in their last outing, but will be determined to get back to winning ways in front of their own fans.
However, West Brom will be wary of the threats posed by Sunderland, who are secure in fourth place, having won three and drawn one of their last five matches.
Mowbray baffles with Albion staring XI v Sunderland
With only one hour remaining until kick-off, West Brom have confirmed their starting line-up for the game.
Mowbray has made three changes to the team that lost against Norwich last weekend, replacing Mason Holgate, John Swift and Tom Fellows with Darnell Furlong, Grady Diangana and Mikey Johnston.
Albion have also confirmed that Holgate and Isaac Price will miss the game due to minor knocks.
The news has left West Brom fans confused, with some pleased to see Swift dropped from the starting line-up, while others are frustrated with the exclusion of Will Lankshear.
It’s mad he acc hasn’t got a fair idea on his best starting 11 yet
— frenchwba 𓅪 (@WBA_FRENCHIE) April 5, 2025
what has lankshear got to do to start
— olly𓅪 (@odg3e) April 5, 2025
2 up front but my god what does it take for Dike/Lankshear to start.
— West Brom Xtra (@WestBromXtra) April 5, 2025
Finally no Swift
— Andy (@DJAndyMole) April 5, 2025
Should've sold Fellows for the £20m
— Jordan 𓅪 (@GrayyJordan) April 5, 2025
Mowbray is killing his career and we will get nothing because of him in the summer
Bored off mowbray
— Francino𓅪 (@Francino14657) April 5, 2025
He's messing with us, drops swift but won't play lankshear or dike instead
— JTC49 𓅪 (@TGAX49) April 5, 2025
no dike or lankshear💤
— aiden (@aidennwba) April 5, 2025
Yeah we’ve lost
— wbajay 𓅪 (@wbajay06) April 5, 2025
No swift 😍
— Ben Hadlington (@Benhadlington1) April 5, 2025
West Brom XI v Sunderland
Joe Wildsmith continues in goal, with Kyle Bartley and supporters’ player of the season favourite Torbjorn Heggem playing ahead of him. They will be supported by Callum Styles and Furlong on either side.
Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby play in the double pivot in midfield. Meanwhile, Diangana and Johnston will look to cause the Sunderland defenders problems in the wide areas.
Karlan Grant and Adam Armstrong appear to be playing down the middle.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points | Form |
| 4. Sunderland | 39 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 72 | WWDLW |
| 7. West Brom | 39 | 13 | 18 | 8 | 13 | 57 | DWDDL |
West Brom played out a 0-0 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season and will be optimistic of their chances of claiming all three points on this occasion.
Despite their recent run of form, Albion still have a strong record at home, having won four of their last six matches at The Hawthorns.