West Brom finally show Championship survival minerals despite Southampton heartbreak
The football gods are just refusing to hand West Brom three points.
It’s now 13 Championship games without a win for West Brom, after James Morrison‘s side saw victory snatched from them in the dying minutes against Southampton on Wednesday night.
Jayson Molumby had given the Baggies the lead just before half-time, after he swept the ball home following a scramble in the box from a corner.
However, a 91st-minute looping header from Cyle Larin hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the net, breaking Albion hearts.
West Brom are showing fighting spirit under James Morrison
It may not feel like it in the wake of such a frustrating setback against the Saints, but West Brom are beginning to turn a corner under Morrison.
They went to the notoriously challenging Bramall Lane and found a way to take a precious point from Sheffield United, who had won three of their last four in the league at that point.
And on Wednesday night against one of the Championship’s in-form sides in Southampton, Albion were minutes away from recording a huge win, that would’ve moved them out of the bottom three.
Morrison’s men had 13 shots on goal to Saints’ 12, and put six on target compared to the visitors’ four respectively, despite surrendering 66 per cent possession to Tonda Eckert’s side.
Albion showed they could dig in and defended bravely for large periods of the game, and Southampton could’ve had no complaints had the home side hung on for three points.
Therefore, The Hawthorns faithful should be encouraged by what they’ve seen over the last two games, as one defeat in their last four shows they are bitterly close to cracking the winning code.
Morrison should press on with 4-4-2 at West Brom
Having been beaten by Oxford deploying his side in a 4-2-3-1, Morrison switched to a 4-4-2 against Sheffield United and Southampton, and has enjoyed success.
It was also the formation Albion deployed when taking points from Stoke and Birmingham in early February, meaning the Baggies are unbeaten in their last four league games when playing in this system.
Moving Alfie Gilchrist into central defence also seemed to work a treat against Southampton, as Danny Imray continues to show improvement after a slow start to his winter loan move from Crystal Palace.
So, with more tough games on the way against the likes of Hull, Bristol City, Wrexham and Millwall, Morrison should stick with the 4-4-2 approach, as it appears to be the Baggies’ best bet for three points soon.
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