James Morrison has vital Nat Phillips decision to make vs Southampton after double West Brom blow
West Brom look like they are going to be down to the bare bones defensively when they face Southampton on Wednesday.
The Baggies host Southampton at The Hawthorns this week in an all-important Championship showdown for both sides.
Tonda Eckert’s men are in the hunt for a play-off spot, while James Morrison looks to steer his beloved Albion away from the drop zone.
West Brom will be without Charlie Taylor, who is ineligible to face his parent club, Southampton, while Krystian Bielik looks to be a doubt, but Nat Phillips edges closer to a return.
Nat Phillips returns to West Brom training ‘sooner than expected’
Bielik is a doubt for the game due to a shoulder injury, while some Baggies fans may even marvel at the sight of no Taylor on the teamsheet come Wednesday.
Albion’s backline has just about been one of the only positives for them this season, helping them to a couple of 0-0 draws and rare cleansheets, but their defence has shown that on its day, it can put on a horror show.
- West Brom have the foruth worst defence in the league
- They have conceded 53 times
As highlighted by Steve Hermon on X, Phillips has returned to first-team training “a lot sooner than expected”, while Bielik may miss the game against the Saints.
With Phillips edging closer to a return, Morrison has the dilemma of who to play at centre-back, with the former and George Campbell the only natural options to play there.
The problem is, the West Brom boss can’t rush the Englishman back into things too soon, or he may risk losing the defender for the rest of the campaign.
James Morrison could give Alfie Gilchrist his centre-back debut
Alfie Gilchrist hasn’t had many opportunities at The Hawthorns this season, but when he has received them, he’s failed to impress.
The 22-year-old arrived from Chelsea on a permanent deal in the summer, in what initially seemed like a shrewd piece of business from Shilen Patel.
| Transfer | Chelsea to West Brom |
| Type and fee | Permanent: £1.2million + £800,000 in add-ons |
| Sell-on clause | 20% |
| Contract expiry | June 2029 |
But Southampton gives Gilchrist a chance to ignite his Baggies career again, with Morrison surely not willing to risk Phillips just yet.
Danny Imray also took his chance at right-back against Sheffield United, which now leaves Gilchrist the perfect opportunity to slot in at centre-back versus the Saints.