Why Callum Styles is the only West Brom outfielder to leave Wolves loss with credit

It's going to be a long three weeks for West Bromwich Albion after the Black Country derby defeat.

James Morrison's side fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Sunday, snapping their four-game unbeaten run in the process.

After such a positive start to the season, this was a cruel way for Albion to enter the international break.

The Baggies put just seven shots on Wanderers' goal, with only two being on target in a hugely frustrating performance.

Precious few Albion players can emerge from Molineux genuinely proud of their performances as a result.

One who can, however, is Callum Styles.

Where Callum Styles led all players in Wolves vs West Brom

There's perhaps no player in this West Brom squad who can be trusted more to perform in a big match than Styles.

He's been one of the most consistent players in the Championship since moving to The Hawthorns in the summer of 2024.

September has seen him playing some of his very best football, with two goals in four matches and some top all-round displays.

His performance against Wolves may get lost in all the fallout and disappointment of the result, but it doesn't deserve to.

Per FotMob, no player on the pitch on Sunday registered more defensive contributions than Styles' 16.

The Hungarian international also created one chance, played seven passes into the final third, made six recoveries, won 10 tackles and 10 of his 13 ground duels.

Even more impressive was the fact this again came from right-back, which isn't his natural position on the left.

So, with Morrison now getting three weeks to analyse his team's progress so far, where do West Brom need to improve most after the break?

West Brom have work to do in the attacking build-up

The Baggies sit fifth in the Championship table at the pause, but if they wish to stay there or even go higher, improvements are needed.

Particularly in the attacking phase, as Charlton and Lincoln (seven each) are the only top-half sides to have scored less than Albion's 10 so far.

Per FotMob, West Brom have created the third-fewest big chances in the division with 11 and have the second-fewest accurate long balls per game at 17.4.

Morrison's men rank dead last for accurate crosses per game too with 2.3, as well as being 16th for shots on target per match (3.8).

So, if Morrison and his coaching team can find ways to improve in these areas, paired with their defensive prowess, West Brom will be cooking on gas.