Comment: Leeds defeat should provide a bookend to West Brom's current system

Not only have the last two games seriously dented Albion’s automatic promotion hopes, they must also prompt a rethink in the 4-3-3 system currently in use.

It’s somewhat ironic, considering it was the 4-1 victory over Leeds in November that set the blueprint for this approach, that it should be the same side that bring about its downfall.

In a perfect world, Albion would be able to convincingly play a number of formations and adapt to one or the other depending on the opposition and the abilities of their own available players.

With more dynamic midfielders, there could be a future for the 4-3-3 later this season, because any system can work with the right personnel.

But one thing is for sure, it needs shelving for the time being after the psychological damage done by Marcelo Bielsa’s rampaging white knights.

Opposition teams have worked out how to capitalise on a pedestrian midfield and exposed full-backs, while Moore is wasting one of the division’s most lethal strikers on the wing.

But what next? Copying the 3-5-2 Sheffield United play would allow Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez to be reunited up front, but Albion’s defenders never looked comfortable in a back three earlier this season.

Moore enjoyed success with a 4-4-2 in the Premier League, but there are question marks over the two midfielders who flourished in that system last season.

Chris Brunt missed the Leeds game with a sore back and has struggled at the base of midfield this season, while Jake Livermore appears to have returned from his four-match ban out of form and with too much upper body mass.

Gareth Barry, 38, does not have the legs to play in a two, and Rekeem Harper, 18, does not have the discipline.

Sam Field, Stefan Johansen, and a fully-fit James Morrison are also options in midfield, but perhaps the answer lies in 4-2-3-1, a system well-used in modern football that every one of those players will be accustomed too.

When Albion finished the 2009/10 season on a 12-game unbeaten run to ease to promotion under Roberto Di Matteo, it coincided with Morrison’s return from injury.

After missing the first six months of the season with a heel injury, he returned at the end of February to help get Albion over the line.

Although Morrison only started five of those games and was used as a substitute in the others, perhaps it’s time for Moore to turn to the experienced schemer again.

The Baggies are crying out for a No.10, particularly at home, where they are lacking the creativity and guile needed to break down stubborn opposition.

Both Morrison and Wes Hoolahan have been underused in recent weeks, partly due to injury, with the burden of creativity falling on Jay Rodriguez with his back to goal.

Albion have looked rigid and formulaic, the free-flowing attacking football of the first half of the season has disappeared.

That is down to Harvey Barnes’ return to Leicester and Matt Phillips’ injury woes, and there is an argument the pace of Phillips, in particular, would re-invigorate a central midfield three.

But Albion have good enough players to beat the majority of teams in this division with a 4-2-3-1, they do not need to leave three men up front and put their midfield and full-backs under unnecessary pressure.

Moving Gayle into a central striker role is paramount, but Rodriguez is a versatile player who has flourished out on on the left before.

Crucially, if that is not working, then Albion would have players to change it off the bench like Jacob Murphy and Jefferson Montero.

After eight wins out of nine away from home, it’s understandable why Moore stuck with the 4-3-3 for the trip to Elland Road, particularly after it's showing against Leeds in November.

What was less understandable is why he persisted with it during the game despite the midfield being overrun. Like-for-like replacements did too little, too late.

Afterwards, he said Albion needed to learn from the defeat. Hopefully he and his staff have heeded those words.

It’s time for pragmatism. It’s time for change.