West Bromwich Albion are presently just outside the Championship playoff positions after drawing again with Preston North End.
That was the Baggies’ eighth tie of the season, and Carlos Corberan’s side are currently struggling due to a lack of desire to win, having dropped to seventh place following the disappointing result at Deepdale.
The Spanish manager will be looking for a reaction from this poor defeat when league leaders Sheffield United visit town next, having been let down by a number of veteran players against Paul Heckingbottom’s Lilywhites.
West Brom underperformers vs Preston
Corberan will simply feel that his stuttering camp isn’t playing to its full potential right now, with Alex Mowatt being one player who seemed out of sync against Preston compared to his typically creative self.
The 29-year-old midfielder did manage an excellent 50 correct passes from 60 touches of the ball, but for all of the passes he sprayed about the turf professionally, the ex-Leeds United man lacked forward desire and registered no important passes or shots on goal.
Furthermore, Josh Maja, who had ten goals in the Championship prior to this away match, failed to spark into life on the road, recording zero shots.
Not even center-back colossus. Kyle Bartley’s return to the starting lineup after injury could not prevent Emil Riis Jacobson from leveling the score at Deepdale, as the Scandinavian attacker smashed a shot past Alex Palmer early in the second half.
While Corberan understands that Maja and Bartley can help West Brom get out of current rut, his patience will be tested when it comes to Jed Wallace, who may soon be looking for an exit.
Jed Wallace’s season at West Brom
Therefore, conversations will soon need to be had over the ageing midfielder’s future in the West Midlands, especially when you take a further glance at his hefty salary.
Wallace is the joint third highest earner in Corberan’s camp at the moment – according to Capology – with the Baggies number seven on the same wage as first-team regular Darnell Furlong at £25k-per-week, even with the right-back being an everpresent in the league for the Spaniard.
Top five highest earners at West Brom
Player
Wage
League games (24/25)
1. Mason Holgate
£75k-per-week
7
2. Daryl Dike
£32.3k-per-week
0
3. Darnell Furlong
£25k-per-week
17
4. Jed Wallace
£25k-per-week
2
5. Paddy McNair
£25k-per-week
2
Sourced by Capology/Transfermarkt.
Looking at the table above, it’s evident that Wallace isn’t the only West Brom player making an exorbitant salary right now, with Daryl Dike failing to play a single game due to injury this season yet earning £32.3k per week.
He would deliver the goods time and time again during his rookie season, with six goals and eight assists, but it’s clear that he’s no longer at the top of his game when wearing a West Brom shirt.
Wallace could be moved on shortly, as Corberan looks to re-energize his disappointed side ahead of a hectic December, which could be critical in determining whether they can compete at the top of the table for the rest of the season.
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