Ryan Mason told he's "a couple of injuries away" from concerning West Brom situation | OneFootball

Albion's squad depth in certain areas remains a concern despite a strong start to the season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Life in charge of West Bromwich Albion couldn't have panned out much better for Ryan Mason thus far, with the 34-year-old still yet to suffer defeat in a league encounter.

The former Tottenham Hotspur assistant was quickly identified and swiftly appointed as Tony Mowbray's long-term successor at The Hawthorns following a chaotic 2024/25 campaign which saw many names take charge of Albion on a permanent or interim basis.

After succumbing to a disappointing ninth-place finish last term after previously finishing inside the Championship play-off places, there has been plenty of change on and off the pitch in this part of the West Midlands, with most of it good, albeit certain instances have brought about mixed reactions from supporters, outsiders and pundits alike.

At present, the Baggies remain one of just four sides - alongside Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Bristol City - defending an unbeaten start to the second-tier campaign when the division returns this weekend following the two-week international break.

Despite the positive start to the 'Mason era' in B71, there are still some lingering doubts regarding Albion's eventual prospects for the remainder of the campaign.

Ryan Mason issued West Brom squad depth concern amid unbeaten Championship start

As such, Football League World asked our West Brom fan pundit, Callum Burgess, what his one major concern surrounding the Baggies is at this moment in time, and, despite the club winning three of their opening four games, it was the on-pitch matter of squad depth which still gives a feeling of doubt as to whether such impressive form can be maintained.

Albion were one of the most active clubs when it came to both incomings and outgoings in the window, although Burgess is mainly concerned with the overall depth in attacking and midfield areas, with Tammer Bany and Daryl Dike both sidelined and the recent sale of Tom Fellows to Southampton for a reported £10m.

"At the moment, I'd probably say my biggest concern surrounding West Brom is our squad depth," he said.

"I think that we're, potentially, a couple of injuries in key areas away from looking a bit thin, I'd say.

"We're already dealing with Dike and Tammer Bany, we'll see how long they're absent for. I think they were due to return after the international break, so we'll have to wait and see from Ryan Mason's press conference as to how they're doing.

"On the wing, we could be a couple of injuries from looking a bit light there as well," Burgess added. "We've got Johnston, Wallace, Iling-Junior and Grant as options.

"It's always theoretical. But, you're probably one or two injuries away from being forced to use a player like a 'bar of soap', where you've not got many alternatives coming off the bench.

"I would say that's my biggest concern at the minute."

West Bromwich Albion's squad depth could be a concern heading towards the January transfer window

As Burgess alluded to, West Brom are rather light when it comes to centre-forward options, with Dike and Bany reportedly set to return to training imminently after suffering injuries in pre-season.

It remains to be seen how long it takes the duo to get back up to speed, especially with Dike's previously rotten record when it comes to injuries ever since his move to The Hawthorns in the summer of 2021.

As a result, Mason has called upon the services of Josh Maja as a substitute whilst starting summer recruit, Aune Heggebo in all four Championship encounters.

Some supporters, understandably, feel that options in wide areas are also limited at present beyond the quartet of players Burgess referenced. However, the impressive Isaac Price does have the ability to feature out wide despite being influential in an advanced central role thus far.

However, with Albion receiving significant sums of money for the likes of Fellows, Darnell Furlong, Caleb Taylor and Torbjorn Heggem across the summer, they certainly have the funds to rectify any potential issues by the time the winter window comes around, and we will also have a strong indication as to what the club's end-of-season aims will be by then.