da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da bet7： West Bromwich Albion enter the final international break of this calendar year sitting atop the Championship table after 16 matches.
Slaven Bilic’s side have lost just one match all season and currently hold a two-point cushion over the chasing pack of Preston North End and Leeds United.
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Upon their return to league action in two weeks, the Baggies’ squad depth is really going to be tested as they will face eighth-placed Sheffield Wednesday without their skipper Jake Livermore and his midfield partner Romaine Sawyers.
Both have started every single game under the Croatian, but having picked up their fifth bookings of the season against Hull City last time out, there’s now a pressing concern in a vital area.
On the Chalkboard
If there’s one area on the pitch that Albion lack numbers the most, it is in central midfield.
Gareth Barry has only just recently re-signed at the club, having battled back from a career-threatening injury, so this game may be too soon for him while Rekeem Harper appears to be out of Bilic’s immediate plans having featured for just six league minutes all season.
That leaves Chris Brunt and Filip Krovinovic as other options, but they have both played the majority of their careers in a different role.
One possible solution may be to break up a defence that has kept just four clean sheets this season by bringing centre-back Semi Ajayi into midfield.
It is a position he has played in before at his former club Rotherham United- in 22 matches, the Nigeria international has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.06, also recording 2.7 tackles and 1.9 clearances per game.
For just one game, he would be an ideal option in the heart of midfield.
It also means that Ahmed Hegazi is given a perfect opportunity to return to defence, in a move that can only benefit West Brom’s entire season.
Given their lack of clean sheets and their ability to concede an average of over one goal per game, something has to change at the back, and the experienced Egyptian can offer some further stability.
He played 40 times last season as the Baggies made the playoffs, averaging a massive 6.3 clearances and 1.4 tackles per game.
Fans love Hegazi at the Hawthorns, so what better way to integrate him back into the starting line up following his return from injury.
He hasn’t been seen since the heartbreak of their playoff defeat to local rivals Aston Villa.