OPINION
Darren Moore must axe Jay Rodriguez and change his formation to a 4-2-3-1 if he wants to field a West Brom side that is capable of beating Leeds United at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
The Baggies are in a rotten run of form at the moment having not won in their last four games, but they can bounce back to winning ways by destroying the Whites if Moore ditches his favoured three-at-the-back formation and uses a more traditional shape that better suits the club’s players.
It would mean making five changes, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Conor Townsend, Chris Brunt, James Morrison and Rodriguez all being dropped from the side, especially as Kieran Gibbs, Gareth Barry and Dwight Gayle are now back in contention after recent injuries.
Sam Johnstone must start in goals behind a back-four of Tyrone Mears, who is the only recognised right-back at The Hawthorns, Craig Dawson, Ahmed Hegazi and Gibbs.
Jake Livermore and Barry should marshal the centre of the midfield with Harvey Barnes ahead of them in the No 10 role.
Matt Phillips must be handed a start on the right while Bakary Sako should return to the line-up so that he can start on the left wing.
Gayle has to return up front so that Moore can axe £60,000-a-week (Spotrac) player Rodriguez, who has been in woeful form lately, scoring just one in his last six outings.