West Brom debrief: Time for a change up top for Albion?

Here, JONNY DRURY look at the main takeaways from the game.

Frustrating but stick to the plan

There have been a number of times, not just this season but last season too, where Albion fans have become frustrated with their side.

We saw it again on Tuesday night. As Albion spent most of the game trying to break down a resolute Cardiff defence who had come to sit in and frustrate.

But it seems that even though this is the tactic from the opposition, some supporters still get annoyed when Albion don’t go and attack and blow teams away.

As Carlos Corberan explained after the game, Albion aren’t purposefully playing the ball back and sideways to run the game down.

They’re having to find different ways to breach the opposition, pull them from one side of the pitch to the other in the hope of making space and creating an opportunity.

Aside from when the big sides come to town, this is what we will see. Fortunately for Albion they were able to get through twice and that made the difference.

Old Erik does the job

He may be 36 and struggling for a lack of game time but Erik Pieters did not look out of place when he stepped into place on Tuesday.

Put in to replace Kyle Bartley, his performance was almost faultless and he showed he still has a part to play between now and the end of the campaign.

On a couple of occasions he was beaten for pace over the top as Cardiff looked to spin in behind – but he recovered well.

What he also brings you as well is a calmness on the ball – and that is why he played so much football last season.

With the return of Semi Ajayi this week and hopefully Kyle Bartley in the weeks to come, I imagine he will play a limited number of games.

But there is comfort for Corberan and the Albion fans that he can be relied upon when needed.

January signings will be key

There have been some January transfer windows in the past where the arrivals have made little to no difference on the side.

You could argue last year was in that category. Marc Albrighton failed to impress and Nathaniel Chalobah didn’t really set the world alight.

But this year that seems to be difference. We’re yet to really see Callum Marshall enough to make a judgment, but the other two could be key.

Andi Weimann, but for his strange handball at Ipswich, could have made it three in three.

And Mikey Johnston has made himself a real wide contender with his goal and display.

There is depth there now when we haven’t seen it before and that is massive.

Time for a forward change?

You can never accuse Brandon Thomas-Asante of a lack of effort but is it time to mix it up now?

That is more because of Weimann’s form rather than Thomas-Asante’s displays.

He has put away chances that others wouldn’t have, that could really make the difference in the run in. It might be time, and also to give Thomas-Asante a rest.