After a 3 week international break, the Championship finally returns, and the Baggies are straight back into the thick of the action as they prepare for another eagerly anticipated Midlands derby, this time against Birmingham City.
Anyone enjoyed the Nations League following the last few weeks, most of our players have been involved with Jayson Molumby representing Rep of Ireland, Isaac Price with Northern Ireland, Chris Mepham with Wales and George Campbell being involved with the USA National Team and you cannot forget Barney Stewart with the Scotland U21’s scoring three goals in two during international duty, have we found a striker that can actually play alongside Jimmy-Jay Morgan?
Meanwhile our opponents Birmingham City will make a short trip to The Hawthorns looking to secure a positive result against their local rivals as they aim to climb into the Play Offs Places. Can the Baggies actually prevent the Blues from getting anything and retain their position in the playoffs?
Player To Watch – Birmingham City
One player the Baggies will need to keep a close eye on this Saturday afternoon is Birmingham City forward Jay Stansfield, who has endured a relatively quiet start to the Championship campaign by his usual standards. Having found the back of the net just once in his opening eight league appearances. Stansfield has yet to fully hit his stride in front of goal and will be eager to rediscover his goalscoring touch.
The three-week international break may have come at the perfect time for the Blues attacker, giving him the opportunity to reset, regain his confidence and work on finding the form that makes him such a dangerous attacking threat. Despite his slow start, Stansfield remains a player capable of causing problems for opposition defences with his movement, work rate and eye for goal.
With the West Midlands derby on the horizon, the Birmingham forward will be hoping to use Saturday afternoon’s encounter as the perfect opportunity to kick-start his season, add to his goal tally and cause havoc for the Albion backline as the Blues look to secure a valuable result away from home.
Player To Watch – West Brom
One player who be hoping to make his mark on Saturday afternoon is young forward Barney Stewart, who returns from international duty full of confidence after an impressive spell representing Scotland Under 21’s. The youngster enjoyed a successful international break, scoring a brilliant brace for his country to take his tally to three goals in just two appearances.
His impressive goalscoring form will certainly have give Albion plenty to think about ahead of their Midlands derby against Birmingham City, with Stewart looking to carry that momentum into domestic action. Having demonstrated his ability to find the back of the net of the international stage, the young attacker will now be eager to prove that he deserves an opportunity to showcase his talents in the Championship. With the Baggies returning from the break with a positive result, Stewart’s confidence and eye for goal could provide an attacking option against the Blues.
The big question heading into Saturday’s encounter is whether his international performances have done enough to convince James Morrison that he is ready to be handed a place in the starting eleven. With three goals in two games for Scotland Under-21s, Stewart has certainly made a strong case for himself, but can he take that next step and make a similar impact in an Albion shirt if given the opportunity?
Line Up V Birmingham
Line up that is expected on Saturday, George Campbell to be rested following his international duty with the USA after playing in a 1am kick off on Wednesday morning in a 1-0 win over Canada. Brayann Pereira comes back into the side following his suspension in his debut at Derby, I switch with the same midfield and replace Heggebo with Barney Stewart in attack.
Prediction V Birmingham
Prediction over Birmingham then it is, last time out I predicted we beat Dingles 2-1 but it wasn’t the day we all wanted after losing the game 1-0. Now the international break is over, it’s time to focus on the Baggies again before another break in November.
Here against Birmingham, it be a quiet opening few minutes for both sides as neither are looking to get onto the front foot, it take around 23 minutes where Harry Whitwell makes a smart cross where Barney Stewart strikes home to give the Baggies the lead in the local derby. Blues would try and equalise before half-time with Jay Stansfield missing from inches wide.
Second half, the Baggies nearly doubled with Isaac Price hitting the crossbar from a free-kick and it won’t be too long before they find their second with Harry Whitwell making a clever pass for Jimmy Jay Morgan to beat the Blues defence to get his 6th goal of the season, making this a great afternoon at The Hawthorns. There won’t be too much left to offer as the Baggies hold on to win the game 2-0 and get back to winning ways following their defeat to Wolves.
Prediction: West Brom 2-0 Birmingham City
Goalscorers for West Brom: Barney Stewart, Jimmy-Jay Morgan
A return to winning ways it be on Saturday I’ m predicting, I know it be a tough ask to face the Blues but we’ve got the confidence in players who have returned from the international break with Barney Stewart kicking on from his Scotland U21 appearance and Jimmy Jay Morgan using the break to start firing again. I think we bounce back from defeat at the Molienux like we did when we lost in the Cup a few seasons ago to achieve a Play-Off place after going unbeaten from February to April 2024.