West Brom's Defensive Instability: A Season of Constant Change
It has been a season of struggle across the pitch at The Hawthorns, with the defence failing to find any consistent form or availability, underpinning the team's challenges. There have been numerous issues for Albion this campaign, leading to a relegation battle as April approaches.
One area that has been central to the difficulties under former managers Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay is the almost constant flux in Albion's defensive line. The defence underwent a complete overhaul last summer following the sales of Torbjorn Heggem and Caleb Taylor, the retirement of Kyle Bartley, and the departure of Semi Ajayi.
In came four centre-backs, all right-footed: Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham, George Campbell, and Krystian Bielik. The early weeks of the season seemed to indicate a squad built on solid defensive foundations, but things quickly unravelled.
A High Number of Defensive Partnerships
Factoring in both two-man centre-back partnerships and a back three, the Baggies have utilized 12 different central defensive combinations this season. This feels like a significant amount and has clearly hindered stability and continuity.
James Morrison's resurgent side appears to be on the path to pulling away from the drop zone after an unbeaten run of four games, including back-to-back wins prior to Friday's return to action against Wrexham. George Campbell has impressed since moving into the heart of defence after switching from right-back.
Centre-backs Phillips and Campbell played in those two victories and seem to have forged a solid pairing. Prior to that, Alfie Gilchrist shone against Southampton in a more unfamiliar role, where the Baggies were denied a win in the dying seconds. However, Phillips and Campbell have only been paired together in a two-man partnership four times so far this term, with the first two occasions occurring in the opening weeks of the season.
Defensive Reshuffling and Its Impact
Defensive reshuffling has been a recurring theme for several months now, with both form and injuries taking their toll and forcing Mason, Ramsay, and Morrison to explore their options. Charlie Taylor, the experienced loan left-back, has had to shuffle centrally on several occasions, and Gilchrist has done likewise from the right.
So, who have partnered each other the most at the heart of Albion's backline this season? Unsurprisingly, the club's two leading high-profile summer recruits, Phillips and Mepham, top this particular billing. They have partnered each other on 17 occasions this term.
It has been a disappointing campaign for both overall. Phillips has been the more regular fixture, starting 34 league games compared to Mepham's 21, but neither have managed to deliver the consistent and dominant form hoped for this season. In an ideal world, they would have featured together more often. A couple of injury issues, including Mepham's current lengthy hamstring lay-off, have not helped the Wales international.
Other Notable Partnerships
The next most commonly used centre-back partnership by Albion this season is more surprising: Phillips and Taylor. Given that Saints loanee Taylor is predominantly a left-back, this underlines the availability struggle for much of the campaign. They have played together on five occasions.
Other partnerships used more than once include the back three of Phillips, Mepham, and Taylor, which occurred three times during Ramsay's short-lived spell with a defensive five. Phillips and Bielik have partnered each other on two occasions, as have Bielik and Taylor. Bielik's debut Baggies campaign has been hampered by an early muscle issue and all but ended by shoulder surgery.
That sounds like a lot, but are there more? Yes, the list of one-off centre-back partnerships also includes former player of the season Heggem, who was sold a week into the season in a £9 million deal to Bologna in Italy. He partnered Phillips on the opening day. Also together on one occasion have been the following combinations: Phillips, Bielik, and Taylor; Mepham and Bielik; Campbell, Phillips, and Bielik; Campbell and Bielik; Gilchrist and Campbell.
It has been a significant issue, and needless to say, Albion will desire much more consistency next term.
