West Brom debrief: First half versus second, Johnston sub and discipline woe

First half versus second

Game management has been a topic of heavy debate so far this season and the Mason era.

That ranges across several factors including in-game substitutions - more on that later - formation tweaks and the inability to hold on to a lead or positive result for the Baggies.

Statistics show that the 'first half table' in the Championship this season - scorelines from the first period in games - have Albion third with seven wins and seven draws from 16.

The 'second half table' paints a very different picture of Mason's side down in 21st with just two wins and eight defeats from minutes 46 to 90-plus.

There is a huge swing of 16 points and very clearly an issue for the head coach and his staff to address.

Johnston was flying

Mason opted to withdraw winger Mikey Johnston, who created both of Aune Heggebo's goals on Saturday, at half-time. Many assumed Johnston, who had been on the end of some rough treatment, had a knock.

The head coach confirmed afterwards it was a tactical switch to introduce loanee Samuel Iling-Junior, who had been considered to start.

Mason said: "We just felt in the second half it would have been more beneficial having a left footer on that side of the pitch and we were planning on changing our shape a little bit to cause them more problems, to find a deep space a lot more because we knew we could attack that area and cause him problems."

It did not work. It would be right to point out Jayson Molumby's red card four minutes into the second period clearly had a big affect on any tactics or momentum after the break.

But Johnston played well against Oxford last time out and starred in the first half here. The decision to withdraw him was very questionable and backfired on Albion - Iling-Junior carried not nearly the same threat.

It was a strange call that did not look like it was needed on an afternoon that got away from the visitors.

Molumby discipline

The dismissal was the fourth of Molumby's Albion career - three in competitive fixtures and one during that bizarre pre-season punch-up with Osasuna in 2024.

The Ireland international is 26 and an important player in this team and squad, he simply cannot be doing that.

He is lauded by many for his passion, energy, spirit and will to win. It is above the level of many other players but it is no good to the club when he is suspended.

The red carried similarities to the costly one at Bristol City in April as play-off hopes shrunk. Mason rightly called it unacceptable.

This was Molumby's first start in seven games after an injury issue and now he will be kicking his heels again.

It is a lack of discipline that undoes the midfielder's good work and has supporters questioning his match intelligence and contribution to the team.

A way to goal?

Two goals in both of the last two games at least show some progress and encouragement for goal-shy Albion.

The first was an own goal, but striker Heggebo has shown in the last few weeks he knows where the net is - and importantly how to sniff out chances.

His anticipation and movement had been questioned given a lack of productivity since the £4.7million move. Many had Heggebo down as a workhorse who may never score many.

But against Oxford and Coventry he has shown the sense and finish is there - if the service is. He will hope to keep it going.