Lewis Cox's predicted West Brom team v Oxford: Formation and personnel calls considered
Ryan Mason faces a crunch clash to haul Albion back to winning ways at home to Oxford on Saturday.
The patience of Albion supporters is wearing thin as Mason's side look to halt a barren run of goals and wins with 21st-placed Oxford the visitors.
Mason tweaked his line-up and formation for the midweek trip to face Charlton, which brought an improved performance from a creative perspective but ended in a disastrous 95th-minute winner for the London hosts.
The Baggies lined up with a back three and wing-backs at The Valley and - although not necessarily directly - Mason's side were able to create more clear-cut goal opportunities than in recent weeks, though still lacked the same final touch.
When asked by the Express & Star, Mason revealed he opted for that formation to negate Charlton's strengths of direct play and second balls.
It feels likely that the head coach will revert to the usual back four and 4-2-3-1 shape for a home match against lowly opposition, though clearly improvements are needed from the dour stalemate against bottom side Sheffield Wednesday at The Hawthorns last weekend.
Krystian Bielik and Charlie Taylor both made starts at Charlton and largely did well in a back three but I am not sure either of them get the nod in a back four. The likelihood is Alfie Gilchrist, more a natural at right-back with an eye on getting forward, will feature.
