Tony Mowbray in West Brom ‘blunder’ as starting XI confirmed v Coventry
West Brom have travelled to Coventry City in what could prove to be a decisive clash in the race for the Championship play-offs.
The Baggies have fallen out of the top six after a recent dip in form and now sit three points behind the Sky Blues, who took their place.
A win against the Sky Blues on Friday (18 April) would see West Brom leapfrog Frank Lampard’s men to regain a place in the top six.
With four games left to play this term, a loss could prove to be fatal in the push for promotion.
Tony Mowbray keeps Armstrong out
There is a lot riding on this game, and Tony Mowbray has named an unchanged line-up to take on Coventry City.
Although his side come into the game on the back of a 2-1 victory against Watford, Will Lankshear had a disappointing game, having just two shots and two touches in the opposition box.
Therefore, starting him again could prove to be costly at the top end of the pitch, where the Baggies need to be prepared to take every chance they are given.
Adam Armstrong has had to keep a place on the bench again, despite being the more experienced player of the two.
Given Armstrong has two goals for the Baggies so far, while Lankshear is yet to get off the mark, going for someone with a bit more confidence could have been what Albion needed.
Armstrong will no doubt be ready to come on if the chance arises, but Lankshear needs to use this as an opportunity to repay the faith and bag his first West Brom goal.
West Brom can’t afford to drop points
This is a massive game against Coventry ahead of a busy Easter weekend and West Brom have to be at their best to beat a side who have done well under Lampard.
Mowbray has struggled to find consistency at The Hawthorns since he arrived to replace Carlos Corberan earlier in the campaign.
| Team | Position | Goal Difference | Points |
| Bristol City | 5 | 9 | 64 |
| Coventry City | 6 | 5 | 63 |
| West Brom | 7 | 12 | 60 |
| Middlesbrough | 8 | 10 | 60 |
| Millwall | 9 | 0 | 60 |
With victory against Watford before coming into the clash, though, this could prove to be the momentum needed by the Baggies, which may explain why the boss decided to opt for an unchanged line-up.
Coventry come into this game having dropped points against relegation-threatened Hull City, which could put them in a vulnerable state that Mowbray’s men need to be prepared to pounce on.
The clock is ticking, and West Brom’s season could be made or broken by the result of this game, so let’s hope Lankshear makes the difference.