Dan Godfrey

Sun 6 April 2025 8:00, UK

West Brom will spend the rest of this weekend outside the play-off places following Saturday’s defeat at The Hawthorns to Sunderland.

The Baggies put in an improved performance but were left empty-handed on home turf, with disapproving boos sounding out the stadium at the final whistle.

Albion sit eighth in the Championship and are now winless in four. They have to find some sort of rejuvenated form in the run-in to have a chance of returning to the top six and having successive cracks at the play-offs.

West Brom loanee enjoys top display to catch eye of Tony Mowbray

While West Brom faltered at home to Sunderland in their efforts to join the Black Cats in the play-offs in four weeks’ time, one player loaned out from The Hawthorns had a much brighter day.

As Sunderland head back to the North East with three points in the bag at the expense of former boss Mowbray, the region witnessed a stunning performance elsewhere from a player on the Baggies’ books.

Reyes Cleary, currently gaining experience with Hartlepool United in the National League, scored what his side’s X account described (5 April) as a “spectacular curling effort”, as well as claiming an assist in a 3-2 win over Ebbsfleet United at Victoria Park.

Hartlepool, inspired by Albion prodigy Cleary, 20, are building themselves an outside chance of sneaking into the play-offs to re-enter the EFL on the back of their third consecutive win.

Mowbray will certainly be keeping up-to-date with Cleary’s progress in County Durham, having so far made seven senior appearances for West Brom as well as spending some time on loan with Walsall earlier this season.

Baggies’ attacking signings have not come to fruition

As the January transfer window progressed, it was clear the message Mowbray was conveying in his recruitment recommendations to the board.

The promotion-winning Albion manager has long been an advocate of free-flowing, expressive football from young, fearless players – but has a more experienced squad than he has dealt with in the recent past, his stint at Saturday’s opponents Sunderland the clearest example.

Mowbray snuck into the top six against the odds with a youthful Sunderland side in 2023, and must try and replicate that with a Baggies squad full of pedigree – which comes as a frustration when they are struggling to gather enough wins on the board.

Adam Armstrong, Will Lankshear and Tammer Bany were all signed in the winter window but between them have just one Armstrong goal, with Lankshear starting just once and Bany playing 24 minutes in total.

Of course, West Brom have majorly missed Josh Maja – but should have enough comparative firepower to their Championship rivals to earn a play-off spot. The fans’ frustration is palpable.

Hartlepool hero Cleary could well be the man to help change the tide in years to come; as it stands, it will once again be Championship football at The Hawthorns next term at least.