This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
West Bromwich Albion scraped through to record a third successive victory this weekend, which ensured they kept their spot at the top of the Championship’s summit going into this week’s double-header.
The Baggies defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the Hawthorns thanks to an 88th-minute penalty from substitute Charlie Austin after the game looked to be heading towards a stalemate.
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Slaven Bilic was enforced into two changes due to the one-match suspensions of Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers after the influential midfield duo both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season before the international break.
However, his decision on who took their places must be remembered for one key reason if such problems arise again in the future.
On the Chalkboard
In the place of the pass master Sawyers, Bilic elected for his fellow Croat Filip Krovinovic as the two possess similar ball-playing abilities, with both averaging a passing success rate of over 87.9% this campaign.
While to replace the skipper, the Albion boss made the bold call to bring Semi Ajayi out of defence and into midfield despite his side recording back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.
West Brom failed to make it three in a row after Owls striker Steven Fletcher dispatched a spot-kick of his own just before the hour mark.
Ajayi’s venture forward meant a return for Ahmed Hegazi, and he was just well off the pace throughout the game, being dribbled past on one occasion, and his error led to a shot at goal – luckily it was only that.
The Nigeria international did a job, but it was nothing more than average as he lost possession seven times, conceded two fouls, and was also dribbled past on one occasion.
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Ultimately, this tactical decision was merely a stop-gap for one game, but it doesn’t mean a similar issue can’t arise in the future, if it does, Bilic must ensure he sticks with a seasoned professional who knows the central midfield position – both Gareth Barry and Chris Brunt came on and made impacts in the second half.
They seem like much more viable options should the worst occur once again.
Meanwhile… here’s why the next few weeks could decide the Baggies’ fate this season.
