Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sat 4 April 2026 12:00, UK

Josh Griffiths must be dropped by James Morrison after West Bromwich Albion‘s 2-2 draw with Wrexham.

There was nothing that the 24-year-old goalkeeper could do about the Welsh side’s two goals at The Hawthorns on 3 April.

However, his performance was still not up to par and played a key part in the Baggies fumbling their two-goal lead in the second-half.

James Morrison admitted that he had a selection dilemma before the game and it appears that he made the wrong choice.

Max O’Leary was sitting on the West Brom bench, and he may well have been the better option for the relegation-threatened side.

How did Griffiths perform in West Brom draw?

Griffiths was fantastic in West Brom’s 1-0 win against Bristol City, when O’Leary was injured, with a commanding presence between the sticks.

However, he could not replicate that in the draw with the Red Dragons, and he put in a horror show display, especially in possession of the ball.

Griffiths completed 15 of his 34 pass attempts for a 44 per cent success rate, per Sofascore, which definitely did not help Morrison’s side.

The goalkeeper could have been a useful tool to get his side up the pitch, but he completed just seven of 26 long pass attempts, for a 27 per cent completion rate.

The Albion ace took 39 touches in the contest and gave possession away 19 times, which put the Baggies back in danger multiple times.

He made just one save and one high claim, so it was not like he redeemed those figures with a solid performance in his main role.

Why Griffiths must be dropped vs Blackburn

Given the stakes involved in the Blackburn game on 6 April, Griffiths has to be axed in favour of O’Leary.

The Throstles need to take all three points from the Ewood Park clash, as the hosts are just two points ahead of them in the relegation battle.

Victory would put them in a great position to avoid the drop down to League One, and put Michael O’Neill’s side right back into the mire, which would be especially satisfying given recent developments involving the Northern Ireland manager.

He was deemed to have gambled with the fitness of Albion ace Isaac Price, to give his side a more favourable outcome.

Griffiths starting in goal would reduce their chances of getting one over on O’Neill and pulling away from trouble, so he can’t start on Monday, it is as simple as that.