Ryan Mason has promotion-winning formula at West Brom after Stoke City evidence
West Brom continued their impressive start to the season with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City on Saturday.
The Baggies faced Mark Robins’ side in an early kick-off, and turned in a resolute display to claim another positive result on their travels.
Nat Phillips’ first-half goal handed West Brom all three points in the Potteries, as they put a stop to the hosts’ 100 per cent start to the season.
Ryan Mason watched the game from the stands after he was sent off in the clash with Portsmouth last weekend, but the boss appears to have found an exceptional partnership at the heart of his team.
Chris Mepham and Nat Phillips could be a promotion-winning pairing
Torbjorn Heggem’s departure rocked West Brom, but they have no reason to miss the Norwegian after the display that Chris Mepham and Phillips turned in against Stoke.
The pair looked physical and commanding, but also played with real composure and helped their team build from the back effectively on numerous occasions.
| Mepham | Stats | Phillips |
| 7 | Clearances | 12 |
| 5 | Headed Clearances | 9 |
| 2 | Duels Won | 5 |
| 1 | Aerial Duels Won | 4 |
| 1 | Recoveries | 5 |
As a duo, they have everything that you would want in a Championship centre-back pairing. They are happy to battle all afternoon, but also possess enough pace between them to mop up and balls threaded in behind the backline.
Phillips is a superb box defender, and Mepham was a Rolls-Royce in Sunderland’s promotion last term.
If the early signs from this partnership are anything to go by, the Welshman could be part of another success this term.
Mason may not have been on the touchline at the bet365 Stadium, but he may well have discovered a potential promotion-winning formula with his team selection.
Ryan Mason has strong centre back group at West Brom
George Campbell was also impressive for West Brom in the victory over Stoke, despite playing out of position at right-back.
The American has quietly gone about his business and been one of the Baggies’ most reliable performers so far this season, and he will count himself unlucky when he likely takes up a role on the bench moving forward.
In him and Krystian Bielik, Mason has two more quality options at his disposal, who would both be capable of stepping in at the heart of the defence when needed with little ill effect.
A watertight defence is essential if a team is to compete at the top of the Championship, this current West Brom rearguard has all the hallmarks of a successful unit.
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