'Storyteller' West Brom boss with "I told you so" message to squad

Mowbray made it two home wins from two since his return with the 2-1 success over Sheffield Wednesday and emphasised the importance of building the "narrative" of pushing on for late winners and celebrating together with supporters.

Jayson Molumby struck deep into stoppage time for the winner, just minutes after Wednesday's Callum Paterson appeared to have snatched a point for the Owls.

It had been suggested in training that Albion have not enjoyed anywhere near enough late drama in games - this was the first stoppage-time winner since April 2022 - and Mowbray insisted hard evidence helps inspire his players.

"I'm a bit of a storyteller, the lads will tell you I don't shut up at times and the meetings go on too long. I tell stories," Mowbray said.

"This is a story for them that hopefully they buy into. I paint a picture of how the game's going to go.

"I told them on Saturday that we'll have domination of the ball but it is whether we can break them down. Can we play passes into the box? Take our chances when they come? They will get stronger because they'll put Paterson on, knock it forward, things will drop around the box, it will be a bit scary."

Mowbray is happy he can say "I told you so" to his players for the added buy-in.

He added:  "It's great for me when the narrative you create comes into reality so I can say to them in the dressing room 'I told you so'.

"When they are taking their wringing-wet shirt off covered in sweat and throwing it on the floor and it sticks - it is all of your hard work that.

"They are happy, delighted, it was tarnished a bit with what happened after the final whistle (Kyle Bartley's red card). But the narrative of winning together, celebrating together, enjoying it collectively with the fans is important for the team and hopefully stands us in good stead for 15 games."

Baggies debutant Adam Armstrong capped the week of his statement loan signing from Southampton with a classily-finished opener as he turned in Tom Fellows' cross 15 minutes from time.

Paterson looked to have spoiled the occasion but for Molumby's intervention in the sixth of seven minutes added on at an ecstatic Hawthorns. Albion are back home on Wednesday against fellow play-off chasers Blackburn.