QPR v West Brom: Boss has decisions when it comes to difference-makers from bench last week

Ryan Mason will be desperate for Albion to build some momentum by kicking on from the comeback victory over Swansea last time out.

The Baggies have managed successive league victories just once so far this term, in the first two weekends of the Championship season way back in August.

It is a plight referenced by players in interviews and Mason has longed for some momentum to help really spark his first few months in charge at The Hawthorns.

There is an opportunity to correct that consistency struggle at fellow mid-table outfit QPR in west London on Saturday.

Last weekend's fightback success against Swansea in the Black Country was as dramatic as it was enjoyable and the feelings at full-time were sharp contrast to the jeers and the chants against Mason and his players before it.

Albion and the head coach were worthy of great credit for changing things to flip the narrative, but only a run of positive results will encourage doubtful supporters.

Baggies fans will take any means to victory but are keen to see a change to Mason's starting line-up when the teamsheets are revealed ahead of kick-off at Loftus Road.

Four half-time substitutes against Swansea, while 2-0 down, were key to last week's three-goal fightback and it will be interesting to see how much stock he places in the side who performed so admirably in the second period against the Swans.

Those selected for the first half against the visitors from south Wales certainly did not perform and Mason admitted he could have made more changes than the four he opted for.

George Campbell was one of four half-time substitutes by Ryan Mason and continued his good recent form. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)placeholder image
George Campbell was one of four half-time substitutes by Ryan Mason and continued his good recent form. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)

Those who entered at the break, attackers Karlan Grant and Josh Maja and defensive duo George Campbell and Krystian Bielik, have all made strong cases to be in from the off against the Rs.

All four played a major role in the turnaround in performance and result.

One of the defenders, most likely centre-back Bielik, is a strong bet for a start at Loftus Road given Albion regular Nat Phillips will serve a one-match suspension for five yellow cards.

Bielik, the summer signing from Birmingham where he was captain, has just one Baggies start to his name in a frustrating first few months at Albion but has given strong accounts of himself from the bench and was a calm and assured presence in the backline last weekend.

Campbell, at right-back, was unfortunate to drop out of the side to Alfie Gilchrist after some good recent form but was solid once again as a sub.

Samuel Iling-Junior and Isaac Price were hooked for Grant and Maja with the latter as sharp and involved as he has been since the return from a long-term absence a couple of months ago.

Grant has looked in decent shape in recent weeks and it was no surprise to see him perform well when handed the chance at half-time. Grant and Maja combined for the latter to tee up Jayson Molumby's for the winner last time out.

QPR, under summer appointment French Julien Stephan, have mirrored Albion this season as the clubs sit 12th and 13th with identical records prior to the clash in the capital.

Mason has winger Jed Wallace (calf) and loan midfielder Toby Collyer (calf) missing with injury, as well as the suspended Phillips.

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