West Brom debrief: Penalty explanation, captain surprise and Southampton play-off look

Correspondent Lewis Cox assesses some of the main talking points in the Baggies debrief.

Mowatt spot-on

It was a surprise to see Mowatt grab the ball for the key penalty on the stroke of half-time, with regular taker John Swift on the bench. The midfielder’s only previous goal this term was at Preston in late September.

Swift remains Albion’s No.1 penalty taker, Carlos Corberan confirmed, and Mowatt is next. Swift has taken and scored three spot-kicks this term, and Brandon Thomas- Asante has scored one. The latter’s effort against QPR in October came five minutes after Mowatt’s introduction as sub.

Thomas-Asante was impressive otherwise but had missed a chance from open play before the penalty, and skied an effort in the second period. Mowatt had responsibility from 12 yards and was coolness personified. Albion’s penalty-taker list may well be required in the play-offs!

Corberan said: “We have one order of penalty takers, Swift is the number one because he proved his accuracy level has been excellent and the second one is Mowatt.”

Leader Bartley

It was central defender Kyle Bartley with the armband in the absence of captain Jed Wallace, rather than left-back Conor Townsend, who usually deputises.

Corberan revealed afterwards it is more a combined leadership group with Wallace, rather than a specific vice-captain, and there was no order to who from Townsend, Bartley, Darnell Furlong or Okay Yokuslu would have the matchday captaincy.

The head coach joked he gave Bartley the armband so he could rise highest to head in Albion’s vital second. Corberan insisted he felt Bartley deserved to lead the side out on the important occasion of a crunch finale.

Corberan said: “First of all, when I decided my first captain, Jed Wallace, I decided other players – Townsend, Bartley, Okay and Furlong will be the other captains of the team.

“The captains have some responsibilities different to the other players. Between them I didn’t want them to know who will have the armband when Wallace is not on the pitch, because for me they all have the same responsibility.

“Townsend has taken the responsibility and I think that he can do perfectly, but I wanted to give the armband to someone that for me deserved to, because he has been a captain without the armband. I wanted to compensate that with him.”

Hawthorns din

There was a crackling atmosphere inside The Hawthorns on Saturday. The pre-match boom was deafening and certainly would’ve left players under no illusion at the sense of occasion.

That promises to be cranked up several levels – and needs to be – against Southampton on Sunday. A boisterous away end will help further, after Preston understandably offered little, and Albion fans know the difference they can make from the stands as the season comes to a head.

Some supporters online have suggested the use of flags as used previously, or something similar, to mark the occasion on Sunday. The club may choose to get creative for an alternative look, but regardless of that the atmosphere promises to be one to savour.

Saints musings

Southampton it is, then. Just as it has appeared for the best part of three or four months.

Many Baggies would have rather faced Leeds, I’m sure. Albion have a better record against the Whites this term and there was the school of thought that finishing sixth and facing third would be better psychologically.

But that is irrelevant now and Corberan and co. must begin plotting ways to hurt the Saints after two defeats to Russell Martin’s men this season.

Albion were desperately unfortunate to lose at St Mary’s in November. They were extremely unhappy with key refereeing decisions that did not go their way. The second-half performance in Hampshire was otherwise mightily impressive.

The Hawthorns clash was different. Southampton were good value for their 2-0 win – but the game changed after barely five minutes after Corberan was sent off for touching the ball in play. That was also a night where minds, in the stands at least, might have been elsewhere with Shilen Patel’s imminent takeover and the future owner and chairman present for the first time.

Former Norwich and Walsall defender Martin has played six and won six against Albion. It is a remarkable faultless record and from the Baggies’ perspective, something must give.