Mowbray’s dream West Brom XI after January

West Bromwich Albion fans will now be getting a little impatient with the ongoing saga involving who will be their next manager, with the Baggies waving goodbye to Carlos Corberan until Christmas.

Now halfway through January, Priority promotion hopefuls have still not been successful in finding a successor for Corberan, though it hasn’t been for lack of trying.

Indeed, it looked like a deal for the former Young Boys manager Raphael Wicky taking the reins was a stress-free formality to cross the line, only for the deal to backfire at the last minute.

The West Midlands side have meanwhile shrugged off this disappointing collapse and appear to have opened talks with Tony Mowbray to make a dramatic return to the helm according to reports, having previously been in charge of West Brom during the early years of his managerial career.

A lot has happened since Mowbray named this final Baggies XI in 2009, with one of his midfield picks on the day in Chris Brunt now interim Hawthorns boss.

He could now hand the baton to Mowbray, with this line-up below a possible dream 11 for the 61-year-old after the end of the window…

1

GK – Alex Palmer

Mowbray would be unlikely to tinker with the goalkeeping position upon arrival, as Alex Palmer has proven to be a top Championship goalkeeper over the last few seasons.

From 26 games in the second division this campaign, the reliable ‘keeper has collected 11 clean sheets and it is likely to remain so.

2

RB – Darnell Furlong

Likewise, Mowbray will not want to make any too drastic changes at right-back if he returns to the Hawthorns, with Darnell Furlong’s place in the side as concrete as possible.

Indeed, the Baggies have missed just one league game during the 2024/25 season to date, and his presence has helped the West Midlands side stay resolute at the back.

3

CB – Torbjørn Heggem

While Furlong is a signature piece of furniture at West Brom, Torbjørn Heggem is a far more recent arrival who only arrived last summer.

Despite this being his first season in the English game, the 26-year-old centre-back has taken to his new surroundings like a duck to water, with an impressiveg 5.3 duels on average in his 26 league appearances to date.

Mowbray will also be keen to work with Heggem if a move goes through, having previously worked with similarly tough Scandinavian defender Jonas Olsson during his first spell at the club.

4

CB – Kyle Bartley

With Mason Holgate on the sidelines of late, Mowbray may want to restore Kyle Bartley to the heart of the defense upon his arrival.

After all, when the experienced defender was in the side, West Brom very rarely looked suspicious after winning a substantial 11 duels at the end of December when he faced Sheffield United.

5

LB – Callum Styles

Callum Styles joins Bartley to form the final defensive component of this dream XI, having excelled for the Baggies on the left in recent weeks.

The Hungarian international can also be used in the middle of the park, but it was in this left-back position that he managed to make a name for himself at the Hawthorns, with a goal even coming his way against Preston North End on New Year’s Day.

6

CM – Alex Mowatt

Alex Mowatt has struggled with injury problems of late – hence his presence on the touchlines – but he will very well be a starter for Mowbray.

After all, when he was fit and shooting this season, he excelled with four goals and two assists.

Mowbray also knows full well what the former Leeds United player has in his locker, having been on the receiving end of this gem back in 2022 when he was Blackburn manager.

7

CM – Jayson Molumby

His team-mate in the center of the park could be Jayson Molumby who has now signed a new contract extension to keep him at the Baggies until 2028.

While the Irishman has had to battle his own injury demons, he has excelled when fit for his side and will see the new managerial regime as a fresh start, with 13 goal contributions a total of 127 games.

8

RM – Tom Fellows

West Brom fans will be concerned that Tom Fellows will be free this January, with Everton lurk in the shadows waiting to pry the electric Baggies striker away from his boyhood club.

But Mowbray could convince the 21-year-old to stick around and help steer his new side into the league, having already amassed a stunning 12 goal contributions in championship action.

9

CAM – Karlan Grant

Mowbray would surely love the versatility of Karlan Grant if he takes the reins once again, with Grant capable of playing down the channels, up top or behind a lone striker.

It is from that last position that Grant has been successful in recent games, as evidenced by the goal the former Cardiff City man buried away at Sheffield United in December from this spot.

10

LM – Lewis Koumas

The first of two potential new additions could be seen Lewis Koumas joined the building on loan, and Mowbray is known as a manager who does not shy away from using youngsters if necessary.

After all, last season at Sunderland he named an XI that was the average age of anything 22.3, with his spell at the Stadium of Light also seeing him get the best out of Amado Diallo down the wings.

Koumas will be hoping he can star for the Baggies in similarly impressive fashion, having already progressed four goals this season on loan at Stoke City.

11

ST – Ben Brereton Diaz

Last but not least, Mowbray will be tasked with landing a lethal new striker upon his potential arrival, with 12-goal hero Josh Maja now sidelined and in need of surgery.

With Ben Brereton Diaz previously flourishing under Mowbray in the past, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Baggies jump to the front of the order in front of Sheffield United for an agreement with the Chilean.

His best goal return of the season, however, came under the leadership of the 61-year-old – with 22 league goals coming during the 2021/22 season – meaning he could be reunited with Mowbray here.

Mowbray’s Full Dream XI: GK – Palmer; RB – Furlong, CB – Heggem, CB – Bartley, LB; Styles, CM – Mowatt, CM – Molumby; RM – Fellows, CAM – Grant, LM – Koumas; ST – Brereton Diaz