West Brom debrief: Mason's 'new feeling' a concern? Missing Mowatt and one positive

New feeling for boss

"It's the first time I've really felt like that."

That was head coach Ryan Mason admitting his Albion side were beaten all over the pitch at The Den.

A damning indictment for the Baggies boss, who will surely have let his players know what he thought of the lacklustre display in the capital.

For Mason the performance will have been something of a shock. So far he has been able to get behind or defend every Baggies display he has overseen - but not this one.

Mason will know - and indeed stressed as much - that there cannot be repeats of that kind of display. Not at home, where results have to be better, or on the road on occasions like where Albion were backed by more than 2,000 in London.

The head coach will hope this particular bump in the road was a big blip and will demand a response.

Changes reaction

Mason opted for four changes from the Norwich victory three nights earlier. Alterations were always likely because of the quick turnaround. One was enforced with Charlie Taylor ruled out injured.

Otherwise Alex Mowatt, Sammy Iling-Junior and Josh Maja were replaced.

Deputising for Mowatt was Toby Collyer in midfield after a clamour for the Manchester United loanee to have a first start. Collyer struggled, alongside all of his team-mates, to get to the pace and tempo of the clash. He will hope for better.

Maja was always going to come out of the side after his first start in 10 months at Norwich where he bagged the winner. Aune Heggebo was isolated and helpless up top.

Iling-Junior was missed. He has had an excellent start to his Baggies career. Jed Wallace, his replacement, divides opinion but was the only one to leave with any credit here. The decision to replace Iling-Junior would have been physical, he has played minimal football and two starts in 60-odd hours felt unlikely. He was missed and his importance was underlined by his absence.

Missing metronomic Mowatt

Speaking of players missed, midfielder Mowatt was left out of the starting line-up and Albion do not have a like-for-like replacement.

Jayson Molumby's game is based mostly on energy and a battling spirit, the incoming Collyer is similar but does have technical ability, though has not shown a passing range like Mowatt's.

Mowatt keeps possession ticking over for Albion. He may go under the radar and not be everyone's cup of tea with a lack of dynamism at times but his importance to the side cannot be understated. The Baggies may regret not finding a midfield option with more similar qualities.

Mowatt turns 31 this season. He may not be able to start every game when the fixture list gets busy. Collyer, a high-profile loan capture, should be pushing to start and after some bright cameos there was a swell of support for his inclusion - but Mowatt was missed.

One young positive

The game was long done as a contest by the time Ollie Bostock appeared for his league debut in the 89th minute - indeed many Baggies have started the journey home.

The 18-year-old was in just a few minutes of stoppage time more of a threat than many colleagues.

He had a refreshing fearlessness and troubled the Lions' backline. One fine cross was headed over by Heggebo.

Bostock is profiting from injuries with his involvement. It left the Baggies' faithful rightly intrigued and wanting more.