The Baggies face a long trip to St James’ Park in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with Newcastle United awaiting them in what promises to be a tough test under the lights. West Brom head into the clash full of confidence after an impressive 3–1 victory over Burnley on Sunday afternoon, but they will know they must produce another strong performance if they are to cause an upset on Tyneside.
Now it’s the Carabao Cup Second Round, as 2,000 fans are heading to Newcastle on Wednesday in what seems to be one of the ties of the Round. Premier League side Newcastle won this competition 2 seasons ago and drew 2-2 to Liverpool on Sunday, meanwhile the Baggies are looking to cause a upset as they have a 100% winning record across Pre-Season, Carabao Cup and the Championship.
I expect something could happen in this game, but you hear it’s never over till it’s over, and The Baggies are facing two games in the next 3 weeks starting at Newcastle and then Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime.
Player To Watch – Newcastle United
There is one Newcastle United player who immediately stands out as the man to watch on Wednesday night — Harvey Barnes.
The former Baggie could be the last player Albion supporters want to see lining up against them at St James’ Park. Barnes has developed into an important attacking option for Newcastle, and his pace, movement and ability to cut inside from the wing could cause West Brom plenty of problems. He has also shown that he can produce decisive moments in big games, including scoring against PSV in the Champions League last season.
There is something particularly frustrating about facing a former player, too. Barnes may not have spent a huge amount of time with the Baggies, but seeing an ex-Albion player potentially play a starring role in knocking us out of the Carabao Cup would certainly hurt.
And, if I am being completely honest as a West Brom fan, I can see it happening.
With Newcastle having home advantage and Barnes possessing the quality to exploit any space Albion leave out wide, he looks like the player who could make the difference. West Brom will need to keep him quiet, because if Barnes gets into his rhythm, I fear he could be the one celebrating at the final whistle while the Baggies are left wondering what might have been.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Harry Whitwell is the player I will be keeping a very close eye on when the Baggies travel to St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.
The 20-year-old comes into the Carabao Cup tie full of confidence after delivering against Burnley on Sunday. Whitwell scored Albion’s equaliser in the 3-1 comeback victory, calmly finding the bottom corner after being picked out by Jimmy-Jay Morgan. It was his first league goal for the club and an important moment in a game where the Baggies eventually secured all three points.
But it was not just the goal that impressed me. Whitwell was a constant threat going forward, won the penalty that allowed Isaac Price to make it 3-1, and showed plenty of energy throughout his 81 minutes on the pitch. He also contributed defensively, which makes his performance against Burnley even more encouraging.
That is exactly why I would like to see him given another opportunity against Newcastle.
There is absolutely no pressure on the Baggies in this game compared with the hosts. Newcastle will be expected to win, but West Brom have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If Whitwell can take the confidence from Sunday’s performance into Wednesday night, he could be one of the players capable of causing Newcastle problems.
For me, his directness and willingness to get forward could be particularly important. If Albion can win the ball and transition quickly, Whitwell has the ability to carry it forward and attack Newcastle’s defence. We have already seen that he is not afraid to take responsibility in the final third.
He has also caught the attention of EFL expert George Elek, who described Whitwell as looking “really, really good” after his impressive start to the campaign.
As a West Brom fan, I would love nothing more than to see the youngster have another big night.
Sunday showed what Whitwell can do. Now comes the much bigger test at St James’ Park.
If he can produce something similar against Newcastle, who knows? Maybe Harry Whitwell can be one of the players who helps the Baggies pull off a Carabao Cup upset.
Line Up V Newcastle
There are a few changes to the West Brom side for Wednesday evening’s trip to Newcastle, with James Morrison rotating his squad and giving some players the opportunity to impress at St James’ Park.
In goal, Joe Ingram replaces Max O’Leary, giving the summer arrival a chance to make his mark between the sticks.
At the back, Alex Williams and Conor Townsend both come into the starting XI, while the likes of Mepham and Phillips provide experience alongside them. Townsend’s return to the side is particularly interesting, with the former Albion favourite bringing plenty of experience into what will be a difficult night against Newcastle.
In midfield, Jayson Molumby keeps his place, while Felix Horn Myhre also remains in the team after featuring in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Burnley. The pair will be important in trying to give Albion some control against a Newcastle side expected to dominate possession.
There is also a very exciting opportunity for Rabby Nzingoula, who makes his first start for the Baggies. After arriving from Strasbourg earlier this month, this is the perfect opportunity for the midfielder to show Albion supporters what he can offer in a competitive game.
And there is another first start to look forward to, with Barney Stewart named in the XI. The youngster gets the chance to impress on a huge stage and will certainly be one to watch.
Harry Whitwell is also included, having been one of Albion’s standout performers in Sunday’s win over Burnley. After scoring his first league goal for the club and winning the penalty for the third goal, he deserves another opportunity to build on that performance.
It is a team that shows Morrison is willing to rotate, but there is still plenty of quality and experience in the XI. With Newcastle likely to provide a completely different challenge to Burnley, this is a chance for some of the less-established players to put themselves firmly in the manager’s thoughts.
And as a West Brom fan, I certainly won’t be complaining if one or two of these changes turn into the surprise heroes of the night.
Prediction V Newcastle
Prediction time for Newcastle in the Carabao Cup Second Round, I say I got the scoreline correct for the Burnley game as the Baggies won 3-1, I did say we also concede early and be 1-0 down. I do seem to be correct in terms of predictions.
Lets see how I fare here, it be a tough game expected we are up against one the most difficult teams and I think they do well in the Premier League this season with no European football in their way they may also set sights in going for glory in the Carabao Cup again.
Lewis Miley picked out Harvey Barnes with a clever pass, finding the former Baggie in a dangerous position. Barnes then took advantage of the space, beating the Albion defence before getting his effort away and finding the back of the net.
Now a nightmare for the Baggies as Barnes gets one over us, and with ages left to go in this cup tie it’s now for West Brom to respond.
The Baggies would try and get one back just before half-time but it’s Newcastle that be in the lead at Half-time.
It be a quiet second half in the opening stages as both sides try to attack with both sides defending well, there be changes made around the 70th minute mark with Nzingoula going off for Jimmy-Jay Morgan as Morrison looks to play 4-4-2 and keep attacking players on in case it’s level come 90 minutes.
We see Newcastle have a penalty in the 75th minute, with Chris Mepham who accidently takes down Yoane Wissa, the DR Congo striker would take and a great save for Matt Ingram who keeps the score at 1-0.
Around the 82nd minute mark, Isaac Price would come on for Bostock, he then produces a step over for then Jimmy-Jay Morgan to go past one Newcastle defender to quickly dispatch his effort to give us the equaliser with 8 minutes of normal time left.
With not long left, the crowd would get nervy as it’s leading up to a penalty shootout, we would see Jimmy-Jay Morgan within minutes to go to put us in front but his effort is saved by Ewen Jaouen.
The final whistle would go at St James’ Park with nothing separating Newcastle and West Brom, meaning the second-round tie would head straight to a dramatic penalty shootout.
Newcastle would win the coin toss and choose to take the first penalty, but the Toon would immediately miss their opening spot-kick, sending the travelling Baggies supporters into a frenzy.
Barney Stewart would then step up for Albion and confidently beat the Newcastle goalkeeper to put West Brom ahead in the shootout.
Newcastle would find the net with their second penalty to level things at 1-1, but the Baggies would have another chance to regain the advantage. Unfortunately, Jayson Molumby would see his penalty saved, bringing the scores level once again.
Then comes the moment Albion fans would dread — Harvey Barnes stepping up for Newcastle. The former Baggie would make no mistake from the spot, putting Newcastle 2-1 ahead in the shootout.
But West Brom would respond immediately through Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who would calmly convert to make it 2-2.
Newcastle would score their fourth penalty to move back in front at 3-2, before Harry Whitwell steps up for Albion. Sadly, Whitwell’s effort would be saved, leaving Newcastle one successful penalty away from sending the Baggies crashing out.
Surely that would be it?
Not quite.Newcastle’s fifth penalty would smash against the crossbar, giving West Brom an incredible lifeline. With the pressure firmly on his shoulders, Isaac Price would step up and deliver, making it 3-3 and sending the shootout into sudden death.
Newcastle would take their sixth penalty, but Matt Ingram would produce the heroics, making a huge save to give Albion the advantage.
Then comes the moment every West Brom fan would be dreaming of. Nolan Galvez would take responsibility for Albion’s sixth penalty and calmly find the back of the net.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 West Brom (West Brom to win 4-3 on Pens)
Goalscorers for Newcastle United: Harvey Barnes
Goalscorers for West Brom: Jimmy-Jay Morgan
After getting the Burnley prediction right, lets see if it goes all the way to penalties on Wednesday evening and then win it 4-3 to give 2025 winners Newcastle a huge upset on Tyneside. With confidence high at the club and our 100% winning run before this tie, I think our confidence would get us a result here and would get a draw come the final 90 minutes but it be a memorable night as we would win it on penalties.