Mowbray gets away with big mistake – 3 West Brom talking points v Watford
West Brom revived their playoff hopes with a 2-1 win over Watford at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
The Baggies established an early lead via Karlan Grant’s neat finish before Mikey Johnston doubled their advantage on the hour mark.
Watford got themselves on the scoresheet through former France international Moussa Sissoko, but Tony Mowbray’s men held on to claim a vital three points.
West Brom News takes a look at three key talking points from Albion’s much-needed victory over Watford.
Mowbray was too slow to make a substitution but got away with it
After West Brom took the lead, Watford were dominant for the rest of the first half and made the Baggies faithful nervous.
Imran Louza forced Josh Griffiths into making a decent save before Edo Kayembe’s shot smashed the woodwork.
The Baggies were struggling with the pressure inflicted on them by Watford, and Mowbray could have been justified in making a half-time substitution.
Tom Cleverley’s side remained on top in the early proceedings of the second half, and West Brom were lucky not to have conceded before Johnston scored for the hosts.
Mowbray’s questionable decision not to make a change in personnel until the 74th minute did not come back to bite him on this occasion.
Attacking trio prove West Brom still have playoff belief
In recent weeks, the Baggies’ top-six credentials have taken a major dent as Mowbray’s men suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of Norwich, Sunderland, and Bristol City before they beat Watford.
| Championship table (4th-7th) | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 4 Sunderland | 42 | 19 | 76 |
| 5 Bristol City | 42 | 9 | 64 |
| 6 Coventry | 41 | 5 | 62 |
| 7 West Brom | 42 | 12 | 60 |
But their victory over Cleverley’s side ensured that The Hawthorns club are now just two points adrift of the playoff spots before sixth-place Coventry take on Hull on Monday.
Despite Albion’s poor form of late, the attacking trio of Grant, Johnston, and Tom Fellows showed that the Baggies squad still believe promotion is possible.
Both Grant and Johnston notched their first goals of 2025, while Fellows created both assists as he made his first goal contributions since his assist against Sheffield Wednesday on 8 February.
Fellows should start every West Brom game between now and the end of the season
Fellows was the driving force behind Albion’s win over Watford, as he gave Hornets full-back Caleb Wiley a tough day at the office.
The 21-year-old was the main factor behind the Baggies’ victory on Saturday, proving that he should not have been benched by Mowbray in the recent defeats to Sunderland and Bristol City.
Fellows will likely hold the key to whether West Brom finishes in the top six, and Mowbray must continue to name him in the starting lineup.