OPINION
West Brom lost vital ground in the race for automatic promotion after losing 1-0 to Sheffield United at The Hawthorns on Saturday night.
Kieran Dowell’s first-half header was enough to leave Darren Moore’s men dropping yet more points in front of their own fans in the Black Country, as Albion’s poor run of home form continued.
Dean Henderson made an impressive stoppage-time save to deny Jefferson Montero from scoring in what was a game of very few chances for the Baggies.
Here, This is Futbol has rounded up three things we learned from the game:
Home tactics need changing
West Brom’s home form has been wretched lately, with their results on the road being the only thing that has kept them in the race for automatic promotion. Albion’s last win at The Hawthorns in the Championship was on Boxing Day when they beat relegation-threatened Wigan 2-0. Moore got more points on average at The Hawthorns when he played with a back-three and it is clear that playing Dwight Gayle out wide does not work in a 4-3-3 formation. It works on the road but in the Black Country, something has to change drastically.
Moore should have signed Cranie
Martin Cranie was one of Sheffield United’s best players on Saturday, and it was hurt Albion fans to know that they had the 32-year-old defender on trial in the summer but decided against signing him. Cranie made Sheffield United’s goal with a marauding run down the right, despite being played as a right-sided centre-back. His cross was headed in by Dowell, even though it looked like the ball was beyond his reach. Cranie would definitely have been a good signing for Albion, and definitely would have been a better defender for them than Kyle Bartley.
Hegazi injury could be a huge blow
Albion’s away form as of late has been amazing, and that is largely down to how well Ahmed Hegazi has played in the centre of the defence. The Egypt international was forced off in the second-half on Saturday night with what seemed like an injury that could be quite serious. If Hegazi is to miss even one game then that is a major blow for the Baggies. Moore’s side play against Leeds United at Elland Road next Friday and they need all of their best players. Being without Hegazi could be an advantage for the Yorkshire side.