West Brom manager Ryan Mason told to make four big decisions for Preston clash - Josh Maja is involved | OneFootball

FLW's West Brom fan pundit has suggested changes to the starting XI ahead of Preston North End clash

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…

West Brom are back in action this coming weekend with a home clash against Preston North End - and they need a drastic improvement on their last league showing.

The Baggies went into the October international break off the back of a devastating 3-0 loss to Millwall at The Den, with the result seeing Albion drop out of the top six, handing them a third loss in five games after previous defeats to Middlesbrough and Derby County.

Relatively new head coach Ryan Mason will be keen to turn around their form quickly, as the club are aiming to fight for promotion to the Premier League this season.

West Brom have won just two of their last seven games, which is as many as they won from their opening two fixtures of the campaign, yet despite their indifferent recent form, the Midlands outfit still sit in seventh position after two international breaks.

Ryan Mason urged to make multiple changes to West Brom’s starting XI for Preston North End clash

When asked what changes, if any, should be made for the starting line-up against Preston, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess suggested a number of alterations should be made.

He believes Samuel Iling-Junior must be put back on the right flank in place of Jed Wallace, while also claiming Alex Mowatt, Josh Maja and Alfie Gilchrist should all also go into the side, which would make four changes from the drubbing in South Bermondsey.

“I think the obvious changes to make to the team that lost to Millwall would be for Iling-Junior to return on the right-wing to replace Jed Wallace,” Burgess told Football League World.

“Mowatt to come back in midfield, probably for [Toby] Collyer, and I’d imagine that also Josh Maja will be given the nod to start up front.

“With [Aune] Heggebo being away on international duty, perhaps the ideal scenario is Maja getting 60 to 70 minutes, then Heggebo to get the last portion of the game.

“I think another one I’d make as well is giving Gilchrist his full debut over George Campbell, and there might be a decision to make over left-back as well between Callum Styles and Charlie Taylor.”

The most recent defeat to Millwall was the first time this season West Brom lost by more than one goal, with Jake Cooper, Femi Azeez and Zak Sturge all getting on the score sheet.

Mason has made a strong first impression at The Hawthorns, but a defeat this weekend against Preston could be damaging, as it could see them fall further down the Championship table depending on other opposition results.

It’s not surprising that so many West Brom changes have been suggested, given the manner of the loss to Millwall - it was a really humiliating one.

Mason needs a response from his players this weekend, especially against an in-form Preston who sit fourth in the table at this current moment in-time, although they are a much stronger proposition at home than on the road.

The 34-year-old is still getting to grips with management, and thus some patience is needed as it’s his first time taking on this kind of role.

However, fans will get impatient if results don’t improve, so Mason needs a positive performance against the Lilywhites this weekend to show that progress is being made.