OPINION
With victory over Preston North End, West Brom are now leading the Championship – but that does mean that Darren Moore’s side can rest on their laurels.
As is so often the case in the second tier, the Baggies has two games in a matter of days, with another away clash on Wednesday, this time to visit Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls are sitting slap bang in mid-table, and come into the tie off the back of a 1-1 draw with West Brom’s title rivals Leeds United, proving that they will be no pushovers for the Baggies.
As such, Moore needs to adapt his starting XI accordingly, ensuring high levels of fitness while bringing in quality performers who are going to be able to live up to expectations.
Summer signings Kyle Bartley and Tyrone Mears should be joined by Gareth Barry in getting the axe, with Toisin Adarabioyo, Matt Phillips and Wes Hoolahan taking their places in the best possible XI for the clash.
While he might have been an ever present following his move from Swansea City, 6’3″ giant (source: Transfermarkt) has been something of a liability at the back in recent weeks, and as such a chance for 21-year-old Adarabioyo to shine in the starting XI should be handed to the youngster, joining Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazy at the back.
In midfield, veteran Hoolahan was impressive against Crystal Palace in the League Cup last week and with Barry unlikely to have the fitness levels to play three games in a week, it should be the former Norwich man filling his boots alongside Jake Livermore.
At wing back, Phillips has been out injured but if there is any chance of him returning then Moore has to make that gamble, Mears failing to show the same quality out wide in both defence and attack that the West Brom stalwart has.
Meanwhile up top the task of netting the all important goals must fall to Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle, the duo looking like the most potent attack force in the entire Championship.