Analysis: Future's bright for West Brom after Darren Moore’s calculated gamble pays off

Even if the Cup is clearly not the priority of the season, had Albion lost this game, Darren Moore would have left himself open to criticism.

Lose, and these pages would be filled with the suggestion he’d disrespected a traditional competition this traditional club has a rich tradition in.

But win, and do it in such style as this, and it becomes a masterstroke.

Not only did Moore rest all of his big hitters after a gruelling festive schedule in preparation for a crucial league clash with Norwich City, but several of his fringe players stepped up and staked a claim for more regular football.

Moore deserves credit for his bravery, but also for the concerted way he built this team.

There is putting out a second string without a second thought, and then there is putting out a second string like this, one that has both balance and variety.

It was the experience of Wes Hoolahan and Chris Brunt which controlled this game, but that was complemented by the youthful energy of Rekeem Harper and Jonathan Leko.

Moore sprinkled wise old heads among young guns. A spine of senior professionals, from Kyle Bartley at the back, through to Brunt in midfield, and up towards Hoolahan and Bakary Sako gave Albion much-needed know-how.

But then the likes of Leko, Harper, Sam Field, and Conor Townsend gave an encouraging glimpse into Albion’s future.

Perhaps the schedule needs a rethink. Third round matches are now destined for wholesale changes because of where they fall in the calendar.

The financial benefit of staying in and getting to the Premier League for clubs from the top two tiers is too great. That’s not Moore’s fault. And Albion weren't the only side to rest players.

The reality is, it doesn’t make any sense risking the likes of Craig Dawson, Matt Phillips, Jay Rodriguez, Kieran Gibbs and Harvey Barnes for this match – not after four games in 11 days.

In many ways, playing them would have been an even greater risk than not.

Injuries to key men would have put Albion’s promotion chances in trouble, and would be a greater risk to Moore's long-term future.

Anyway, would the first XI really have been as hungry as Hoolahan to impress, as desperate to score as Sako?

Would they have been as fresh as Leko and Harper? Would they have been as determined as Bartley to shine in his preferred position?

They may be professionals but it’s only natural for saturation and fatigue to have an effect on players.

Moore also needs to think about the harmony of his squad. In one fell swoop he’s managed to make 11 players on the fringes feel important, feel valued.

“Competition is fierce, it’s what I want,” said Moore. “I’ve got 28 or 29 of them asking me to play, I can only pick 18 of them.”

For traditionalists, using the FA Cup in such a manner will rankle.

But third round weekend is unlikely to be moved, so perhaps we should accept this fixture’s new role in the footballing world.

Kick-off times being moved for overseas audiences sounds unpalatable, but if it provides more money for grassroots funding, is it really that bad kicking off two and-a-half hours earlier?

At least Albion reduced ticket prices to £10 for adults, with kids getting in for a quid. It yielded a healthy gate over 15,000.

And while there may not have been as many goals as other games at The Hawthorns this season, they were treated to thoroughly enjoyable fare.

Wigan were terrible, and somehow managed to offer less of a threat than their toothless performance at The Hawthorns in the league ten days’ beforehand.

But Albion’s fringe players stepped up to a man.

Hoolahan’s nickname is the Irish Messi, so perhaps it was apt to see the 36-year-old operating as a false nine.

Dropping deep and spraying passes around from little pockets on the pitch, this performance suggests giving him another six months on his contract may be wise.

Brunt put in one of his best performances in midfield this season and Bartley put in one of his best performances in an Albion shirt.

Sako’s goal will be a confidence-boosting one and there are signs he could be a weapon in the second half of the season.

It was the youngsters though, who will get the pulses racing.

Harper proved why he is so highly thought of, bouncing players off him with the strength of an ox rather than an 18-year-old teenager.

Leko is such an enjoyable and entertaining player to watch, but still needs to work on his end product.

Field has been the forgotten man this season, but even though he lost possession a couple of times, he too showed moments of maturity that could be developed out on loan.

If they were encouraging for Albion’s long-term future, Mason Holgate’s display at right-back showed promise for the rest of the season.

The debutant looked every inch the athletic full-back Albion need, and even came close to scoring twice.

He did the simple things right, and kept Callum McManaman quiet throughout.

The positivity didn’t stop there. Even Jonathan Bond, Albion’s third-choice keeper thrown in at the deep end just before kick-off, kept a clean sheet on his debut.

After the game, Albion’s first XI played out a training game on The Hawthorns pitch. And while they may have been grateful for the rest, they are probably itching to play again now.

Moore judged this one correctly. As he said afterwards: “It was the perfect afternoon.” It’s hard to disagree.