West Bromwich Albion picked up only their second win in the Championship from their last five encounters when breezing past Oxford United 2-0 last time out.
This could end up being a big three points, considering the Baggies’ next game sees them travel to promotion favourites Leeds United, meaning a loss to the U’s would have been disastrous for their own aims near the top of the tricky division.
Whilst the likes of Daniel Farke’s Whites arguably have a flashier squad – with stars such as Manor Solomon touted to be worth around the £15m ballpark – West Brom are holding onto that final playoff spot in the second tier with a team comprising mainly of bargain buys that have proved to be largely be a success.
West Brom's standout bargain signings
Although he is currently sidelined with an injury, Josh Maja’s electric form this season – when fit – definitely puts him into the bracket of being a successful bargain addition.
Indeed, the ex-Sunderland man joined the Baggies ranks on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, with his 12 goals and two assists in league action this campaign so far making him a big hit with the Hawthorns masses.
Away from solely relying on free transfers, the West Midlands side have shelled out cash too, notably adding Mikey Johnston back into the camp for just £3m which looks to be smart business last summer.
He has justified those millions being spent with seven goal contributions of his own in the league, whilst the addition of Nordic defender Torbjørn Heggem for a modest £500k has gone down as another masterstroke.
The Scandinavian centre-back has been a rock all campaign long with 11 clean sheets tallied up, but there’s another more forward-thinking player in Mowbray’s camp that is now up there with the EFL’s elite, who – much like Maja – cost zilch to bring through the door.
West Brom's "sensational" free signing
John Swift proved his worth to the cause on Saturday versus Oxford United, as the seasoned midfielder made sure of the three points at the death with a strike.
But, it was another midfield asset in the form of Alex Mowatt that got the ball rolling with the opener, with the ex-Leeds man ageing like a fine wine at the Hawthorns.
Calmly slotting away a chance under pressure against his former loan side, the 30-year-old just continues to put in consistent displays for his playoff-chasing side, with the decision to pick him up on a free transfer when Barnsley got rid in 2021 continuing to look like an inspired decision.
With six goals and two assists in tow in the Championship this season, there’s an argument to be had that the stylish EFL veteran is up there with some of the very best midfield talents in the division now.
Indeed, according to FBref, the two most similar players to him in the second tier this season are Leeds ace Ao Tanaka and slick Coventry City star Ben Sheaf.
Shot-creating actions
2.72
2.53
2.82
Attempted passes
73.24
76.14
65.52
Pass completion %
87.2%
89.9%
85.2%
Progressive passes
7.15
7.51
7.63
Progressive carries
1.53
1.08
1.41
Away from bettering both players in question with his goal contribution total for the season, he also isn’t a million miles off trumping them in many similar aspects of their midfield games, with Mowatt at least on par with both Tanaka and Sheaf when looking at the table above for metrics such as pass success percentage and progressive carries.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
This is quite illustrious company to keep, considering the Sky Blues star was once in the conversation to leave Coventry behind for £15m, whilst Tanaka is a fully fledged Japan international.
The “sensational” Mowatt – as he has been lauded in the past by ex-Leeds boss Steve Evans – deserves to be in these circles too, with the 30-year-old praying his top performances can help Mowbray and Co taste the glory of promotion.
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