West Brom vs Mansfield Town: Fringe players can put more heat on first XI

It paid dividends straight away with a 7-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers, Albion’s largest league win for more than a decade.

But the 3-4-1-2 was then found wanting away at Tony Pulis’s Middlesbrough last Friday when the former head coach nullified it expertly.

Moore has another chance to experiment tonight, when League Two Mansfield Town visit The Hawthorns.

But with this new formation still in its infancy, the head coach is expected to hone that system while giving his fringe players a chance to shine.

Conor Townsend, James Morrison, Hal Robson-Kanu and Oliver Burke – who notched his first Baggies goal in the 1-0 win over Luton Town in the first round – are all expected to start.

Craig Dawson’s reintegration to the team is set to continue and there could even be the first sighting of Nacer Chadli this season.

Youngsters like Sam Field, Rekeem Harper and Kyle Edwards, who all impressed in the first round, are all likely to feature in the squad as well.

Albion have options in most positions, except right wing-back, where Matt Phillips is an integral part of the new system.

The wideman, who has been called up to Scotland’s squad for their upcoming matches with Belgium and Albania when team-mates Morrison and Burke were left out, expects the Baggies to keep faith in the formation tonight.

“We will dust ourselves down and go again in the cup on Tuesday night,” he said, after the disappointment at the Riverside.

“We’ll probably go out with a strong side and keep going with what we’ve been working on.

“Then we’ll focus and build for next Saturday. The gaffer has told us to just keep going – we are a work in progress.”

But even Phillips, who has scored three goals since the team switched to a back three, knows his position is under threat.

“The whole squad is vying for a place in the starting line-up and it’s up to the ones in the team to put in performances,” he said.

The promising performance against Luton from Albion’s fringe players appeared to kick the starting XI into gear, and Moore will be hoping for a similar impact this week with a tough match against Gary Rowett’s resurgent Stoke side looming.

Townsend was unfortunate to lose his place at left wing-back, but his performance prompted Kieran Gibbs to put in one of his best displays in Baggies colours.

Morrison and Harper have started to put some heat on Jake Livermore and Chris Brunt in midfield, and Sam Field has become a versatile option.

If performances in the league continue to fluctuate then Moore may be tempted to reward those knocking on the door.

Competition for places is hotting up.

The Opposition:

Mansfield Town may be 14th in League Two, but they are still unbeaten this season.

After beating Notts County comfortably on the opening day of the season, the Stags have drawn their four league games since.

But their first-round match in the Carabao Cup was far from close. David Flitcroft’s men walloped Accrington Stanley 6-1 to set up a clash with the Baggies.

Tonight’s match will be just the fifth meeting ever between the two sides, and it’s one Stags defender Mal Benning is looking forward to.

“It’s literally two minutes from my house,” he said. “It’s going to be a good match and I am looking forward to it.

“I will have plenty of family there – at least 40 people. I either wanted Aston Villa or West Brom in the draw.”

Born in West Bromwich, Benning came through Walsall’s youth system and was named the Saddlers’ Young Player of the Year in 2014.

He made nearly 50 appearances for Walsall before being signed by Mansfield in May 2015 after the Saddlers released him.

And the full-back has been a regular in the Stags team ever since.

“I support Liverpool but some of my family are Villa fans and some are West Brom fans so it’s a good draw,” he added.

“I always drive past the stadium and say I need to play at that stadium. I’ve been there quite a few times to watch but it will be a first time playing there. We have great confidence at the moment and we are creating a lot of chances, so we are looking forward to it and could give them some surprises.”

After Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Macclesfield, Stags boss Flitcroft urged his team to be more clinical in the final third.

“We have to be ruthless,” said Flitcroft. “Players have been brought in to really make the moments count. Nine shots on target and some really good chances and it’s the same story. It’s not good enough.

“That’s something we have to take on board.

“They have to believe that in those moments that you’re good enough, not just to score and win the game, but go on and technically be supreme in that moment.

“We have to speak to the players and we’ll work on that. I think with the attacking play we’re certainly getting enough opportunities.

“I’m disappointed we’ve not made more of the dominance at times. It’s important that we do turn draws into wins.”

If Mansfield win, it will be their first ever victory over Albion.

The two sides drew 1-1 in the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1975 but the Baggies won all three meetings with the Stags in the 1992/93 season with an aggregate score of 6-0 when they played them twice in Division Two and once in the Autoglass Trophy.

Danger Man:

Tyler Walker

The 21-year-old striker on loan from Nottingham Forest already has five goals to his name this season. The son of former England international defender Des Walker, the forward has featured for the Three Lions himself as part of England’s under-20s. He will be desperate to prove himself against a Championship team.

Likely Line-ups:

West Brom (3-4-1-2): Myhill, Dawson, Adarabioyo, Field, Harper, Barry, Phillips, Townsend, Burke, Robson-Kanu. Subs: Bond, Bartley, Livermore, Edwards, Leko, Rodriguez, Gayle.

Mansfield (3-5-2): Olejnik, Gibbens, Pearce, Sweeney, Hamilton, MacDonald, Khan, Bishop, Benning, Davies, Walker.

The Boss says:

'The cup tie is all we are thinking about now because Mansfield will be absolutely fired up for this and are going to be difficult opponents.'

Memory Lane:

The last time Mansfield Town visited The Hawthorns, Bernard McNally and Alex Dickens scored in an easy 2-0 win in Division Two in 1992/93.

Key Man:

With the backline struggling so far, it’s important to get Craig Dawson reintegrated to the team. A commanding performance here will help.