West Brom debrief: Horses for courses in Albion's midfield make-up and contract talk

Tony Mowbray's men had lost some ground following defeat to rivals Blackburn and a draw at Millwall but lowly strugglers Oxford were dispatched with relative ease at The Hawthorns.

We address some of the weekend's talking points in the Baggies debrief.

Midfield make-up

The midfield has been a topic of debate since Mowbray's appointment and has only stepped up since the signing of Isaac Price last month.

It is clear the head coach will choose horses for courses when selecting two or three from Price, Alex Mowatt, Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakite.

Price and Mowatt were not only left out of the starting XI at Millwall seven days earlier, but they remained unused substitutes altogether.

Against Oxford, it took the recalled pair 10 minutes to combine as Price fed Mowatt to take the lead. Molumby was also involved. The forward passes through the middle of the pitch for the goal is exactly what Mowbray wants to see. Six goals is a handy return for the midfielder.

Diakite has only started once under Mowbray, at Millwall, when the boss wanted more physicality and presence. The likelihood is the Malian will be called on when the game requires more responsibility without the ball.

Leeds next time out would be a bold call. Fans are keen to see Diakite and his combativeness. Molumby brings a drive and more energy than others. Price looks elegant and inventive. Mowatt has a fine left foot and makes Albion tick as the metronome. There is a good balance to be found and this was a step forward.

Semi suffering

The clear blot on Saturday's copybook was Semi Ajayi limping out. The 31-year-old appeared to injure his hamstring again and faces another spell on the sidelines after three months out.

Fortunately for Albion, Kyle Bartley returns from his three-match ban at Leeds next week. Beyond that, there is not too much depth. Mason Holgate did well on Saturday but his form has been indifferent this term. Caleb Taylor was allowed to return to Wycombe in January.

The Baggies will hope Ajayi's blow is not season-ending. Bartley, who is 34 in May, is no longer able to play every game, particularly in busy, three-game weeks.

The wider question is on Ajayi's future. The Nigerian is one of a handful of senior players out of contract this summer and it is fair to wonder - if that injury is serious - whether he has played his last game for the club.

Ajayi has been a good servant over six years, though just north of 150 appearances points to one or two too many injury lay-offs. Ajayi is not young and will be a fair earner in Albion's structure. A decision lays ahead.

Rare clean sheet

A first clean sheet in 13 games was a long time coming. Mowbray said after Millwall he felt a first of his tenure was around the corner, likely with Bartley's return to contention.

It came earlier than that - and against limited opposition. Behind the scenes, though, the head coach was not stressing the importance of a shutout to his players.

"It's welcome for the team, but as I say to them 'don't worry about clean sheets...'" Mowbray said afterwards.

Goals have not been free-flowing yet. Mowbray is finding the formula to suit the players he inherited best. There is nothing wrong with out-scoring opposition and supporters remember those games well from the the boss's first spell.

But keeping out the opposition will help in the hunt for more regular victories. Clean sheets were commonplace under Carlos Corberan and at the moment the players are trying to learn whole new methods.

Swift desire

Swift has had a tough season and has struggled to impress and inspire supporters. He is not wholly popular when it comes to Albion selection.

When he came on late in the clash there was a mixed reception. But Swift sealed the points with the late, late second. He won a header to help Albion clear their lines and was on the end of passes from Grady Diangana and debutant Tammer Bany - who could down the line be something of a direct replacement for Swift.

Those kind of cameos - not only the goal, but similar desire shown to supporters - will lift Swift's reputation among supporters. With Jed Wallace injured and Karlan Grant struck with illness, Swift's chances may arrive more. The attacker is another whose deal ends this summer. With just 14 starts in 34 league games this term, the writing looks like it could be on the wall in that regard.