Nolan Galves in action for West Brom, with James Morrison in a circular frame inset

Nolan Galves and James MorrisonManh Tung, Breaking Media/Imago

Three West Brom questions to emerge over past seven days include does Morrison have a right-back headache?

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Published on:

14 Sep 2026, 7:30 am

West Bromwich Albion continued a strong start to the Championship over the past week.

The Baggies earned a rare win at Derby County in midweek, their first in the league since 2003, thanks to Aune Heggebo's winner.

Callum Styles then scored the equaliser as Albion drew 1-1 with fellow early pacesetters QPR at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

West Brom are consequently riding high in third ahead of mouth-watering derby against Wolves this weekend.

James Morrison will be hoping his side can take their early season momentum into the lengthy international break against their fierce rivals.

But, before then, here are three questions to have emerged from the past seven days at The Hawthorns.

How does James Morrison solve West Brom's right-back problem?

The rare victory at Pride Park was even more impressive in the context of what happened during the game.

Summer signing Brayann Pereira made his debut at right-back, but endured a nightmare start to life at Albion, earning a red card for two bookable offences by the 34th minute.

Nolan Galves, who has started the campaign at right-back, replaced him but would later go off with a knee injury.

Galves is facing a few months on the sidelines, so Morrison now has a problem to solve.

Does he give Pereira another chance and hope he can adjust quicker to life in the Championship?

Or is Styles, predominantly a left-back, the man to continue doing the job at right-back in Galves' absence?

It promises to be a big call for the Wolves game, that's for sure.

Where West Brom stand on Alex Williams recall after crushing Nolan Galves update

How big of a blow is Mikey Johnston's latest update at West Brom?

Mercurial winger Mikey Johnston is an excellent creative outlet for West Brom.

However, the former Celtic man has been struggling with an ankle injury since February, making just one sub appearance in the Carabao Cup against Rotherham United this season.

The 27-year-old is now out for what has been described as an "extended period" after suffering anoter ankle setback.

Albion have started the campaign well, but how big of a blow will it be to lose such an important player for another prolonged period?

Only time will tell on that one, but with Morrison's men starting the season so well it would have been great to count upon such an important creative outlet.

Are West Brom serious promotion contenders?

Given we're only midway through September, it is still extremely difficult to predict how the league table will pan out.

But, thus far, Albion are dealing pretty well with the tests that have been thrown their way - losing just one league match against Middlesbrough so far.

The Wolves game feels like a particularly big test of where this side is at, and if they can come through that then perhaps talk of being contenders will increase.

As things stand, you have to say "yes" to Albion being contenders because they are right up there.

But the Championship is an absolute grind, and lasting the course can be extremely tricky.

Here's hoping they can continue to do so, though.

Celtic Football Club