Ryan Mason has to end West Brom experiment now after evidence vs Middlesbrough
West Brom succumbed to their second successive defeat when they were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough on Friday night.
The Baggies’ bright start in the Championship is beginning to falter a little, as Aune Heggebo’s goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation at the Riverside Stadium.
Ryan Mason’s West Brom team selection raised eyebrows ahead of the game getting underway, and his lineup provided many of the issues that fans were expecting before kick-off.
It was a frustrating evening for the Black Country outfit, but it could yet provide a valuable learning for them, providing that Mason reads the signs regarding this selection decision.
George Campbell should not play at right-back for West Brom
George Campbell has made a bright start at West Brom since his move from the MLS in the summer, and he has won plenty of plaudits from supporters for his committed and rugged displays.
Mason has experimented in the last few weeks by playing the American on the right side of the backline, in a role which isn’t entirely natural to him.
It worked to perfection in the impressive win over Stoke City, as the defender turned in an excellent display to shut down the significant threat of Sorba Thomas.
However, the defeat to Middlesbrough highlighted almost all of the negatives that come with playing a natural centre-back in a wide position.
| Stats | Campbell Total |
| Accurate Passes | 74/79 (94%) |
| Successful Dribbles | 0/1 |
| Accurate Crosses | 0/6 |
| Total Duels Won | 6/14 |
Campbell regularly got into positions of promise in the second half, but simply didn’t have the quality or the presence of mind to be able to deliver a telling ball into the box.
Mason’s decision was understandable from a defensive perspective, but it disrupted the balance of his team when they were on the ball, and that should tell him everything that he needs to know moving forward.
The Baggies are a solid unit when they get in behind the play, but they need to sacrifice some of that in order to become a little more free-flowing going forward.
Ryan Mason has simple decision to play Alfie Gilchrist
West Brom signed Alfie Gilchrist from Chelsea shortly before deadline day in the summer, and he is surely their preferred long-term option to take on the right-back role.
The 21-year-old is adept in both an attacking sense and defensively, and now is surely the perfect moment for Mason to throw him in for his debut for Albion.
Gilchrist has been a significant investment for the club, and the manager now has to trust him to come in and perform to the level that can be expected of such a talented young player.
Back-to-back defeats have given the boss the perfect chance to shuffle the pack a little ahead of next week’s game, and he has no excuse to persist with Campbell when Gilchrist is waiting in the wings.
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