West Brom debrief: Goalscoring strikers and midfield strength in numbers

Check out some of the latest Baggies talking points in the debrief.

Fierce focus

Albion dealt with a very uncertain and troubling week in impressive style.

You cannot help but tip your cap to boss James Morrison, who is doing his credentials for the job on a permanent basis the world of good.

He was steadfast late last week that talk a financial charge from the EFL had been banned.

But there would have been a distraction, it is impossible for the situation not to be a factor.

Albion and Morrison will want to win every game, but they will now know that their points tally may be affected by any potential deduction if found guilty.

To put all that aside and delivered a mature, polished and clinical performance to win on the road was mightily impressive.

Back in the goals

There is little better than two strikers netting in a 2-0 win.

Josh Maja managed just his sixth goal of the season and for Daryl Dike the agonising wait was over for his emotional first.

Both have endured a hellish time with injuries and fitness in the last couple of years - or longer in Dike’s case - but Morrison’s use of the duo has been spot-on.

Switching to a 4-4-2 formation that allows for two strikers certainly helps. It has eased the burden somewhat on an understandably jaded Aune Heggebo and given the chance of more rhythm for Maja and Dike, who have reaped the rewards.

Both strikers know how to score goals, their limited time on the pitch while with Albion has proven as much. That is Morrison’s main thought with their inclusion.

The pair are two of five senior players out of contract this summer. An exit is anticipated but it is never too late to force a re-think.

Midfield swarm

Morrison has surprised with his use of central midfielder Jayson Molumby on the right side of midfield in the last two games.

His hand was forced somewhat due to injuries out wide. Molumby is not a natural on the flank but the Irishman has brought something new to Albion’s dimension.

Molumby is playing in a sort of inverted role where his energy is allowing him both to occupy space out wide and drift infield to have an impact.

It means at times the central of Albion’s midfield features Molumby, Alex Mowatt, Ousmane Diakite and Isaac Price when he floats in from the left. Left-back Callum Styles is also seldom far from the scene, too.

It results in a Baggies midfield able to dominate opponents and that is exactly what happened at Deepdale, where Preston had no answer.