OPINION
Darren Moore must take the bold decision to axe Jay Rodriguez for West Brom’s clash against Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday night.
If Moore wants to name his best possible starting line-up against the Whites then he needs to opt for a team that is similar to the one that smashed them 4-1 at The Hawthorns back in November.
That means that Hal Robson-Kanu should return to the starting line-up, as well as Jacob Murphy, after it was confirmed on Thursday that they and Ahmed Hegazi could be available for the trip to West Yorkshire.
Sam Johnstone is a no-brainer to start in goals and Moore should name an unchanged back-four of Mason Holgate, Craig Dawson, Hegazi and Kieran Gibbs after the positive news about the Egypt centre-back.
Gareth Barry and Jake Livemore should start in the deeper-lying midfield positions while Matt Phillips must also drop back into a more central role after he shone in that position when playing against Leeds in November.
Robson-Kanu arguably had the best game of his West Brom career in that memorable 4-1 win and he should return to the side, as should Murphy.
Dwight Gayle needs to get the nod to start up front ahead of Rodriguez, who has been untouchable in Moore’s starting line-up this season by starting all 34 Championship fixtures.
If Moore names this starting line-up then he is sure to oversee West Brom smashing past Leeds for the second time this season.
Doing so would see Albion move within one point of the Yorkshire club and surely revive their hopes of sealing automatic promotion to the top-flight.