Ryan Mason gets it all wrong as key West Brom performer left out vs Middlesbrough
West Brom are the latest team to try and end Middlesbrough’s unbeaten start to the season on Friday night.
The Baggies had their own unbeaten Championship start halted by Derby County last weekend, and their first opportunity to bounce back from that reverse is the daunting challenge of a trip to the Riverside Stadium.
West Brom have a dismal record against Middlesbrough of late, and they are undoubtedly facing a huge test in the form of the early pacesetters in the second tier.
Ryan Mason’s team is now out ahead of the clash, and he has made one particular decision that is simply baffling.
Ryan Mason silly to leave out Mikey Johnston
Mason’s team selection for West Brom’s trip to the North East was always likely to provide an interesting development, given the comments that he made about Josh Maja in midweek.
The boss was keen to stress the striker’s importance to his project, despite not starting him in the league so far this season.
The 26-year-old remains on the bench for Friday night’s clash, and rather surprisingly, he is joined by Mikey Johnston, who has arguably been the Baggies’ most creative player so far this season.
| Stats | Johnston Total | Team Rank |
| Goal Contributions | 3 | 2nd |
| Big Chances Created | 2 | 1st |
| Key Passes | 2.3 | 1st |
| Successful Dribbles per 90 | 2.3 | 2nd |
| Shots on Target per 90 | 0.5 | 3rd |
Mason appears to have opted to change shape to a back three formation to take on the league leaders, but even with his defensive frailties, it feels like a silly decision to leave the winger on the bench.
Isaac Price has taken plenty of plaudits for his displays so far, but it could actually be argued that Johnston has outperformed the starlet.
The former Celtic man is currently leading his team when it comes to big chances created and key passes, and it will be a huge loss for Albion to not have his spark.
In a game where the visitors’ best chance of taking three points is likely to try and snatch a 1-0 win, the decision to leave out a player who can create moments of magic out of nothing is simply baffling.
West Brom eyeing repeat of Stoke City win
West Brom’s 1-0 win at Stoke a few weeks ago was arguably their most impressive result of the season so far, and the only logical explanation for Johnston’s omission is that Mason is eyeing a repeat of that 90 minutes.
Albion snatched a goal from a set piece and then defended manfully for the remaining 70-plus minutes to cling on to three points, and they are clearly targeting a similar outcome here.
If that is the case, then it is possible that Mason doesn’t trust Johnston enough without the ball and is therefore willing to sacrifice a little in terms of creativity in order to be solid.
It could be a stroke of genius if it works out for him, but if it doesn’t, then the boss will certainly be left with egg on his face.
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