West Brom debrief: Squad boost, academy graduate's big night and Mason's irritation

Ryan Mason's men climbed to fourth in the Championship with the Norfolk success - with little time to enjoy or reflect before going again at Millwall on Saturday. Here are some considerations in the latest debrief.

Squad game

Mason had promised to use his squad this week in the busiest period of the season yet but just one change - goalscorer Josh Maja for Aune Heggebo - was forthcoming. It perhaps points to more alterations at Millwall.

Maja, of course, proved one of Albion's two heroes on a 'night of the Josh's' and his development having played an hour will prove very useful. There were signs of his link up play in attack with the impressive Sammy Iling-Junior, Isaac Price and Mikey Johnston. He and Heggebo are totally different profile of striker.

Mason's squad was needed in Norfolk. Charlie Taylor limped off at left-back - with a knock not thought to be serious - and that offered a chance for Krystian Bielik, the versatile defender, to make his debut. Alfie Gilchrist, another defensive signing, also played his first minutes.

Manchester United loan midfielder Toby Collyer caught the eye from the bench in one of his liveliest cameos yet and may be due that first start in midfield on Saturday if Mason decides one of Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby may not be up for another start with such shorth recovery time. Collyer has made his case.

Coming of age for the No.1

It is sometimes easy to forget this is Josh Griffiths' first season as Albion No.1 and, at 24, he is very young in goalkeeping years.

His start to the season has been solid enough if unspectacular - but Wednesday was very much a spectacular evening for the academy graduate.

He delivered upon his sky-high potential in a snapshot here. Two late saves in particular were world class from close range. Griffiths, encouraged by his team-mates, rightly took the love from the travelling Baggies faithful.

Mason said afterwards the performance can make the 6ft 5ins shot-stopper 'stand taller still' in how he carries himself. He also told us there is a lot of development left in the goalkeeper, so that is something to keep an eye out for as Griffiths becomes more comfortable in the role.

Mason's right to be annoyed

On to the next one, then.

Albion's scheduling is ridiculous this week and the same can be said for later this month.

There should be no way the squad arrives back from Norfolk around 3am on Thursday and has to prepare for another away fixture in the capital on Saturday. Mason rightly had a pop at it earlier this week and did so again on Wednesday night.

What makes the situation 10-times worse is, after the upcoming international break, Albion have another Wednesday-Saturday away double-header at Watford and then Ipswich - and the latter is a 12.30pm kick-off!

You can forgive once as bad luck from the fixture computer. But twice inside a month? That cannot happen.