West Brom manager Carlos Corberan.
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan.

Carlos Corberan hits out at 'Madness' ahead after latest West Brom win

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Carlos Corberan has hit out at the "Madness" of the Championship schedule facing his West Brom side around Christmas.

Speaking to Express and Star after Albion's 2-0 win over Bristol City (22 December), Corberan slammed the fact that Derby County will have two extra days' recovery time before their meeting on Boxing Day.

Derby lost 2-1 to Luton Town on Friday before the Baggies and Bristol City faced off later than any other Championship fixture this weekend.

"Bristol City and us are going to be the teams who suffer in this period", Corberan said.

"(Derby) have a week for the Thursday game, while we only played on Sunday. It is a physical disadvantage. It is madness.

"Playing against a team at this time of the season, who have had two days' more recovery is unfair – it's my responsibility, but it's too much.

"We shouldn't have played today, knowing the games coming. We should've played Saturday, like the other teams in the Championship."

West Brom face ludicrous turnaround ahead of Derby County clash

With just three days between matches – one of which is Christmas Day – compared to Derby's five before their meeting at Pride Park, it's understandable to see Albion at a disadvantage come Boxing Day.

The Baggies may have produced two moments of Mikey Johnston magic to blow the Robins away in the first half on Sunday, but their spate of recent draws suggests another tough contest is in the offing.

Mikey Johnston, West Brom
Mikey Johnston's brace gave Albion only their third victory in the last 16 league games [Credit: Imago]

Albion were worthy winners at The Hawthorns as Johnston scored his first two goals since signing permanently for the Baggies in the summer, but the quick turnaround could be their undoing.

Corberan's side are back up to seventh in the table despite winning just three of their last 16 matches, but given they've drawn 10 times in that run, they must back it up with another victory away at Derby.

The lack of much intensity from Bristol City may prove to be a saving grace as Albion look to make up on Derby's rest advantage, but without the likes of Karlan Grant in the side, the game is still an uphill task.

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