Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago
Match

Ryan Mason makes huge blunder amid Watford vs West Brom announcement

Declan Carr
Declan Carr

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at Sports Mole and VAVEL; Masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. FOCUS Breaking news, long-form analysis, and club-level insight across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Declan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the depth behind the headlines — from breaking news to analytical deep-dives — to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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West Brom boss Ryan Mason has announced his side to face Watford on Wednesday.

The West Brom boss is missing several players through injury, including Manchester United loanee Toby Collyer.

The Hawthorns outfit face a trip to Vicarage Road to face the Hornets on 22 October, with a win potentially taking them to fourth in the Championship.

West Brom are considered slight underdogs heading into the contest, but they will hope to exceed expectations.

West Brom ace Toby Collyer in action.
Credit: Imago

Ryan Mason makes Josh Maja decision for Watford vs West Brom

West Brom are looking to end an 18-year winless run at Watford, and Mason has made three changes from the win over Preston.

Josh Maja was not named in the starting line-up for the clash, as Aune Heggebo was given the nod up front in one of the changes.

Other changes included Alfie Gilchrist and Ousmane Diakhite coming in for George Campbell and the injured Collyer.

Why Maja should have started for West Brom

Maja should have started once again, there is no doubt about it.

He was Albion's top scorer last season with 12 goals, despite missing the final 20 games of the campaign with injury.

  • Maja was the Baggies' leading scorer but only made 26 league appearances last season
  • He has made eight appearances this campaign, with one goal
  • Only two starts in the league for the ex-Sunderland man

The Baggies need to keep winning matches, and the Nigerian is one of their best assets in front of goal, and that is exactly where their problems are.

If the result is the right one, and helps Albion in their promotion push, then Mason's decision will be justified, but it has the potential to be a huge blunder.

Heggebo has not exactly ripped up the net in the second tier since moving to the Black Country outfit, and it could be a serious mistake not to start Maja.

They need to give him regular starts to build up his rhythm and composure after he missed such a huge chunk last time out, and they may regret not doing so.

The Norway star does not look like the answer, so the ex-Tottenham coach should have given Maja the chance to reassert his position.

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