Another Relegation Six Pointer for the Baggies as they travel to Oxford after Eric Ramsay’s sacking on Tuesday evening.
Now it’s time for us to really step up as we go into this game without a win in 9 games and not a win in 2026 so far. It is looking likely we could be heading down to League One, but this is a sort of six pointer. Leicester City’s six point deduction is the only way that is keeping us safe and could be expected to receive another four points taken off them, if it wasn’t for this we would be three points adrift in the relegation zone and would look doom and gloom around The Hawthorns.
Now with Eric Ramsay shown the sack straight after the Charlton game now James Morrison would take interim charge for this one as they look to battle from a unexpected relegation to League One and hopefully get our first win since December.
Oxford United are also struggling and are 6 points behind us in the Championship table and they lost to Stoke 2-1 in the week and are looking to close the gap, if the hosts get defeated on Saturday I think Oxford would be going down with Sheffield Wednesday who was officially relegated on Sunday afternoon. I think we would look more confident coming into this game as Eric Ramsay’s stay has been cut short and would look to perform better under James Morrison.
Player To Watch – Oxford United
The player to watch for Oxford United this weekend is Will Lankshear, and there’s certainly an added narrative heading into this one.
After his loan spell with West Bromwich Albion last season, Lankshear will no doubt be eager to make an impact against his former side. He already did damage in the reverse fixture back in November, finding the net, and he’ll be looking to repeat that feat at the Kassam Stadium.
With six goals to his name so far this campaign, he’s shown he can be clinical when given chances. His movement in the box and willingness to press defenders could cause problems, especially in a high-stakes match where the Championship picture is on the line. If results elsewhere go against West Brom, a defeat could drag the Baggies closer to — or even into — the relegation zone by 5pm on Saturday.
Stopping Lankshear early, cutting off service, and limiting space in dangerous areas will be key. Given the storyline and what’s at stake, he’ll be highly motivated to “haunt” Albion once again.
Player To Watch – West Brom
The key player to watch for West Brom this weekend is Jayson Molumby. He was outstanding against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday, bringing relentless energy to the midfield, pressing aggressively and constantly looking to drive the team forward. He covered ground all night and played an important role in turning promising moves into real chances.
If he starts against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium, his work rate and determination could set the tone again. In a match with so much at stake, his ability to win the ball back quickly and transition play into attack will be crucial.
The hope will be that Molumby can provide the platform to get the best out of Mikey Johnston, Isaac Price and Heggebo, supplying them with enough quality service to find the goals Albion need. And if those goals come, perhaps a slightly more measured celebration than the one the other night might be in order. With the Championship picture tightening, Molumby’s drive and creativity could be decisive.
Line up V Oxford United
I go with the same formation a 442 I did on the match preview for Charlton. In goal Max O’Leary comes in and in defence I have George Campbell and Callum Styles in wing backs and in centre backs Nat Phillips and Charlie Taylor would retain their spots.
In midfield Molumby and Diakite would be in the centre with Mikey Johnston and Ollie Bostock would be in the attaking wings. In a front two I have Aune Heggebo and Daryl Dike.
Prediction V Oxford United
Now another prediction, last time out I predicted a 2-1 defeat for the Baggies over Charlton Athletic but we came away with a draw but wasn’t enough to keep Eric Ramsay in the job after a 42 day stay at The Hawthorns has come to an end.
It’s now time for James Morrison to see if he can take the Baggies further away from the dreaded relegation and keep us in the league.
I think it be a bright start at the Kassam Stadium during the first 11 minutes we get the breakthrough with Aune Heggebo getting his first goal since December as a Mikey Johnston’s step over would allow the Norwegian striker to tap in a goal.
Just before half-time, a Mikey Johnston’s corner would then allow George Campbell to get his second goal in his second consecutive game from a corner just before half time to double our advantage.
In the second half it be quiet but around the 80th minute Oxford’s Lankshear would find the target to put his side back into the game at the death as a Myles Peart-Harris run up would allow the former Baggie to get onto the scoresheet and would look to haunt us further in the dying seconds as he would beat Max O’Leary one on one but would make an awful miss and give the Baggies our first victory since December and on the road since October and the first in 13 league games.
Prediction: Oxford United 1-2 West Brom
Goalscorers for Oxford United: Will Lankshear
Goalscorers for West Brom: Aune Heggebo, George Campbell
A 2-1 win here in Oxford and could be enough to put Oxford United 9 points adrift from safety and would be a decent win if it actually comes off. If Ramsay was still in charge I would of gone for another 1-1 draw but I think the players would try and put something into this game and would like to play for Morrison and can see this paying off and would be a decent three points that could steer us away from relegation.