The stats that show why Ryan Mason will succeed at West Brom, fans must be patient
West Brom have already created more total expected goals in November than they did for the whole of October.
West Brom triumphed in a 2-1 victory over Oxford United on Saturday, thanks to Aune Heggebo’s match-winner at The Hawthorns.
This comes after Albion’s 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic on 4 November continued a four-game winless streak in the Championship.
But after a much-needed win at The Hawthorns, West Brom’s Premier League promotion chances may have become a reality once again.
West Brom are a better creative team
Ryan Mason has been criticised for Albion’s poor chance creation this season.
While the departure of key creative players such as Tom Fellows has played a role, fans have looked towards Mason to find solutions.
- Albion have created just 23 big chances in the Championship, the third fewest
- West Brom have netted 14 goals, the fourth fewest in the league
However, things may finally be clicking into place for the former Tottenham midfielder at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies have already created more total expected goals in November (Four) than they did in the whole month of October, according to Albion Analysis via X on 10 November.
This means that the value of chances created in just three games so far this month is already greater than in five games last month.
Even when it comes to big chances created, yes, the Baggies are creating fewer than their opponents, but they’re also scoring at a lower rate.
Indeed, Albion have netted 14 goals from 23 big chances created, while Coventry City, for example, have scored 40 goals from 46 big chances created.
If the Baggies want to compete with the best, they’ll have to beat them at their own game first.
Things finally going right for Ryan Mason?
West Brom’s win over Oxford was the first time this season that the Baggies have managed to win a game while having the majority of the possession.
Mason’s side held 62 per cent possession while their opponents struggled, according to Sofascore.
Differently, in their prior 2-1 Championship win over Preston, they had 49 per cent possession and a shocking 41 per cent of the ball in their 1-0 win over Norwich back in October.
The Baggies have averaged 53.6 per cent possession in the Championship this season, and while not particularly high, it indicates that Mason wants to play for possession.
For the first time this season, West Brom may have won a game of football the way Mason intends them to, which is why fans may need to hang in there a little longer.
Indeed, the 34-year-old could be on the verge of building something special.
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