Kyle Bartley shares Ryan Mason theory as ‘lack of trust’ mooted at West Brom
Ryan Mason’s limited bench options have been proposed as the reason behind West Brom’s poor second-half performances.
Alex Mowatt fired West Brom in front against Birmingham City at The Hawthorns on Wednesday.
However, the Baggies conceded from a set-piece deep into the second half in what has been a recurring theme for them this season.
Mason has branded West Brom’s performance as “disappointing,” but his biggest issue may be poor recruitment above anything else.
Kyle Bartley identifies real issue at West Brom
Mason is under huge pressure to deliver at West Brom after a difficult couple of months.
Once second in the Championship, the Baggies have sunk to 17th place in a span of two months.
While his man-management has been lacking, there’s a growing sense that Mason has been set up to fail at West Brom.
Former Baggies captain Kyle Bartley believes that Mason’s lack of strength in depth is behind his hesitancy to make subs in games.
“I think what is possibly happening,” he told BBC Radio West Midlands via X on 27 November.
“I can’t be sure here, but maybe as we were speaking to someone at Birmingham before, and they have a real strength in depth, I suspect that Mason is turning round to his bench and probably doesn’t trust some of the lads sat on his bench.
“Hence why you’re seeing great first half performances because he’s set them 11 players up that he trusts and he thinks they’re able to follow his instructions.
“When it comes to the second half, he’s probably doubting himself for the substitutes, and he’s doubting the lads on the bench that they can actually perform to the level he needs.”
Not one of his substitutes against Birmingham made a noticeable difference.
Samuel Iling-Junior has been inconsistent, while Josh Maja is a shadow of the player he was pre-injury.
There are a lot of things to criticise Mason for, but the mistakes of West Brom’s hierarchy over the summer isn’t one of them.
- Read more: West Brom told to hire Michael Carrick ahead of make-or-break Birmingham showdown for Mason
How bad are West Brom’s second-half performances?
West Brom have now conceded seven goals in their last 15 minutes of games this season.
In the Championship, only Millwall have conceded more goals in the closing stages.
This is a shocking statistic, but it gets worse. Indeed, if you remove all of the last 15 minute goals, Albion would with seven points better off and fourth in the Championship.
Only Hull City have conceded more equalising goals than the Baggies and just three teams have taken the lead more times than them, according to Albion Analysis via X on 27 November.
While Mason’s man-management plays a role, his limited options on the bench will cause even the best managers to struggle.
Therefore, Mason will be hoping that Albion’s higher-ups will help him out this January, if he lasts that long.
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