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Earlier this week, West Brom boss Jimmy Shan claimed he now knows his best team.
The 40-year-old has relished his new role with the club after being appointed caretaker manager until the end of the season, but where the Baggies have improved in defence and continued to score goals, there is still one lingering problem.
That issue lies in midfield. Albion possess a number of quality options but choosing the right pair could prove the difference between success and failure in the play-offs.
Shan is known for developing youth so he may favour two of his younger options. However, he also has plenty of experience to choose from. Getting the balance right will be crucial.
Assessing the options
Shan hasn’t named a single unchanged team since he took over at the Hawthorns and a large part of that has been due to the inconsistent midfield.
His most reliable performer has arguably been Chris Brunt. The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a terrific end to the season and as a result, his selection should be a necessity going into the play-offs.
With Gareth Barry ruled out for the rest of the season we might have seen the last of him in a Baggies shirt. With that in mind, Sam Field has started to appear again in the squad. However, it would be a big gamble to play him in such huge games.
He shone against Reading on Easter Monday but Rekeem Harper was then preferred in the win over Rotherham. It was a selection that more than justified itself when Harper found the back of the net. However, the fact he’s been so inconsistent might mean his place is under threat also.
Jake Livermore has been injured and also pretty poor in recent months so should be forgotten about, whilst James Morrison simply hasn’t played enough football. The biggest question will likely be over Stefan Johansen. He was superb against Preston but was then incredibly disappointing last weekend.
That means that Matt Phillips, who offers far more going forward could be preferred.
The rest of the starting XI picks itself at the moment so there should be no excuse for Shan not to focus most of his attention on the midfield.
If they come up against Aston Villa, finding the right balance suddenly becomes even more important. Dean Smith has fantastic quality at his disposal in that area of the pitch and the likes of Jack Grealish and John McGinn will have to be stopped.
