Will Lankshear has ‘golden chance’ at West Brom after Derby County announcement
West Brom’s chances of a play-off campaign in the Championship this season are now looking very narrow after defeat against Coventry City on Friday.
It was a day to forget for West Brom, who had to cope with 10 men after Callum Styles was sent off, and ended the day six points away from the top six.
The play-offs look too far out of reach, but all West Brom can do is end the season on a high in the hope that it could be enough.
That starts with a visit from Derby County, who are fighting relegation.
West Brom benefit from Derby announcement
Tony Mowbray has come under criticism since Albion’s defeat, with many supporters feeling disappointed with the trajectory of the club under his management.
It was never going to be easy taking the reins from Carlos Corberan after his exit, but the new manager has struggled to really get into a rhythm with the Baggies.
It seems as though Mowbray is yet to find out what his best starting line-up is, which is never a promising sign for a team that are trying to look upwards.
On paper, a game against Derby should be one for West Brom to breeze through with the Rams sitting one place above the relegation zone.
However, the impact of the loss against Coventry could well carry over to The Hawthorns.
Things may have been made slightly easier for Mowbray’s men after John Eustace has confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom will be out for the rest of the season after fracturing his eye socket.
The goalkeeper has been an ever-present this season, having saved a penalty against Portsmouth only last week, showing the confidence he brings to Derby at the back of the pitch.
Will Lankshear has chance to take against Derby
Will Lankshear has been a consistent choice of the manager’s recently, although his performances aren’t really defending the decision to start him.
The Tottenham loanee now has 10 Championship appearances under his belt but is yet to get off the mark for the Baggies, with time running out until the end of the campaign.
With Adam Armstrong sitting on the bench, as a player with more experience, the 19-year-old’s spot in the side certainly isn’t safe.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Lankshear | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Armstrong | 13 | 2 | 0 |
In the final weeks of the season, it is crucial that the striker shows a glimpse of what he can do, otherwise his summer transfer prospects could be affected.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Mowbray turn to the youngster again, and if he plays against Derby, he has a golden chance to face a goalkeeper with a lack of minutes in a struggling side this term and net his first goal.
Sometimes, all it takes is breaking the deadlock to get going and gain confidence in the attacking position.
However, if Lankshear can’t prove himself against Derby, it surely has to leave questions over how Mowbray can continue to pick him.