Ryan Mason must make ruthless Isaac Price decision, it’s the only way to save West Brom’s season
Ryan Mason may have finally found the winning formula at West Brom, but Isaac Price doesn’t make the cut.
Price started the season well at Albion and was arguably their best player at one point.
But the goals slowly started to peter out, and with it went the attacking midfielder’s form.
Now, after West Brom’s 3-2 comeback against Swansea in the Championship, it’s not a coincidence that the goals began rolling in once Price was substituted.
West Brom’s second-half momentum shift was immense
Pressure has been mounting on Mason at West Brom after back-to-back winless games in the Championship.
The former Tottenham midfielder looked condemned to hear chants of ‘Mason out’ after the Baggies conceded two goals in the first half.
But Aune Heggebo emerged as Albion’s saviour during the second half, netting two goals within five minutes to level the scoring for his side before Jayson Molumby, back from suspension, netted the winner.
From there on out, it was a game dominated by the attacking intensity of the home side.
- West Brom took six more shots in the second half compared to the first
- Swansea did not take a single shot in the second period
- Their opponents registered 0.00 expected goals in the second half
Furthermore, Albion generated 1.31 xG and had four corner kicks, according to Sofascore.
It was arguably the Baggies’ best attacking performance of the season, and it wasn’t by chance.
- Read more: Claudio Yacob reacts to stunning West Brom comeback vs Swansea, shares picture of wild celebrations
Ryan Mason must move forward with 4-4-2 formation
Albion’s momentum shifted for the better when Price came out at half time.
The midfielder’s goals was important to the club’s start to the season, but even then his limited creativity was an issue few wanted to point out.
The introduction of Josh Maja alongside Heggebo granted West Brom the attacking edge they’d missed during the first half.
Price is often slow to release the ball and struggles with ball progression, despite usually being positioned behind the striker.
- Price is in the 42nd percentile for progressive passes
- He is in the 18th percentile for progressive carries
Meanwhile, he is in the 20th percentile for touches in the opponent’s box, according to FBREF.
Both Heggebo and Maja are more direct, goalscoring threats who gravitate towards the box and seek to combine with their teammates.
Mikey Johnston is one of Albion’s best creative players and creates ample opportunities from either wing.
Meanwhile, Karlan Grant acts as a decent addition on the flank for extra creativity and goalscoring threat. This was seen best when Grant took to the pitch against Swansea, and Mason’s main focus became his two strikers up front.
The 4-4-2 formation may not solve all of West Brom’s and Mason‘s issues, but it grants them enough firepower and stability in both the attack and midfield to create meaningful attacking plays.
But for that to become the norm at The Hawthorns, Price’s starting spot must be sacrificed for the greater good.
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