Gary Rowett will be fully aware of irony as Ryan Mason could be 90 minutes for West Brom sack
Gary Rowett could play a major part in getting Ryan Mason sacked when West Brom meet Oxford United on Saturday.
West Brom host Oxford at The Hawthorns in Mason’s most important Championship match yet.
Mason has huge pressure on his shoulders at West Brom, as the Black Country club are steadily slipping away from hopes of promotion to the Premier League.
Charlton beat Albion last time out in the Championship, as Josh Griffiths’ last-minute mistake for West Brom has only piled misery on Mason and his future.
Mason is set to meet Rowett for the first time as a head coach, but there is a huge feeling of irony that the Oxford boss will be aware of heading into Saturday’s clash.
Gary Rowett didn’t fit the ‘template’ to become West Brom boss
Mason could be 90 minutes away from the sack, as his future surely hinges on the result against Oxford.
Rowett joined Oxford in December last year and managed to keep the Us up, but now only sits four points clear of the relegation zone.
Gary Rowett’s record as Oxford United boss:
- 46 Matches
- 15 Wins
- 12 Draws
- 19 Losses
In 2022, Rowett was linked with the West Brom job, as former Albion CEO Ron Gourlay was in favour of the Baggies appointing Carlos Corberan.
Gourlay said that Rowett didn’t fit the “template” to become the Baggies manager. The former CEO stepped down from his role in 2023 after failing to help Albion get back to the Premier League.
Rowett will no doubt see the irony in facing West Brom, where he could now inflict further damage on the club that once nearly employed him.
However, who does the supercomputer have as favourites to win the game?
- Read more: Ryan Mason sack looms as he loses West Brom fans after Charlton defeat – ‘Get out of our club’
What has the supercomputer predicted for West Brom vs Oxford?
Rowett will want his Oxford side to avoid relegation more than anything this season, but a win at The Hawthorns would be even sweeter for him.
However, according to Opta‘s supercomputer, West Brom are favourites to beat Oxford.
| West Brom’s win chances | Oxford’s win chances | Draw chances |
| 51.5% | 23.8% | 24.7% |
The Baggies could do without the added motivation from Rowett and his Oxford side, but Mason’s sacking may be inevitable anyway.
West Brom are the favourites, but Oxford know how to win away from home, and have already done so twice this season.
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