'Stand up and take responsibility': West Brom talking points from midweek Southampton defeat

Pressure on Ryan Mason continues from the Albion supporters - after they watched their side suffer a seventh straight defeat on the road.

Plus
Published
Last updated
Supporting image for story: 'Stand up and take responsibility': West Brom talking points from midweek Southampton defeat
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Finn Azaz of Southampton is challenged by Chris Mepham of West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium on December 09, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Having gift wrapped Southampton three goals in the first half - they showed some fight in the second half with goals from Karlan Grant and Nat Phillips putting them back in the game.

Samuel Iling-Junior then missed a big late chance to snatch an unlikely point.

Jonny Drury brings you some of his talking points from the game:

Strange selections

For the second straight game, Mason has made a questionable selection.

As much as it would have been the right decision - he was never going to bring Josh Griffiths back in for Joe Wildsmith.

It wasn’t going to happen so soon - but he should have done. That is now six goals shipped in two games.

But elsewhere, decisions looked very strange. Ousmane Diakite for Jayson Molumby, but Iling-Junior for Mikey Johnston was even stranger.

Karlan Grant after pulling a goal back for West Brom against Southampton (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
Karlan Grant after pulling a goal back for West Brom against Southampton (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)

Yes it is a three game week, but not playing Johnston just smashes any creativity Albion have. Everything goes through him.

It was five changes on Saturday and four tonight. It looks a little desperate from Mason.

Own it - take responsibility