Carlos Corberan acknowledges the challenge ahead for his makeshift Albion squad as they prepare to face Rotherham in the upcoming match. The Baggies are under pressure, especially with the recent addition of striker Josh Maja to the list of absentees due to a significant ankle injury suffered in the 2-1 loss against Sunderland. Alongside Maja, Jed Wallace, Matt Phillips, and Daryl Dike are already sidelined in the attacking department, though midfielder Okay Yokuslu is set to return from suspension. The team struggled in their recent matches in the absence of key players, experiencing rare back-to-back league defeats under Corberan’s management.
Corberan emphasized, “I believe the challenge isn’t just a mental one but also a physical one. We must focus on recuperating physically to have the necessary energy on the pitch because in the Championship, playing without giving 100 percent energy makes it difficult to secure a win.”
“So I think mentally we want to play the next game quick, physically we need to see who is able to play the next game quick.”
Maja made his first Baggies start at the Stadium of Light after signing as a free agent in the summer and working his way back from an ankle injury sustained by a challenge in September.
However, his complete debut lasted just over 30 minutes, and with fellow striker Brandon Thomas-Asante unable to play more than 30 minutes owing to hamstring issues, the head coach went to teenage winger Tom Fellows.
Fellows, as well as more senior teammates Grady Diangana, John Swift, and Jeremy Sarmiento, struggled to make an impact against the Black Cats, who were well worth their 2-1 victory.
Thomas-Asante came on as a substitute and managed to score his sixth goal of the season, drawing level with Swift as Albion’s leading goal scorer. His goal came from an impressive assist by Pipa, who typically plays as a right-back but was operating as a makeshift left winger.
Whether Thomas-Asante will be granted more playing time in the upcoming match against Rotherham remains uncertain. There’s also speculation about Wallace’s fitness for a potential cameo appearance from the bench.
Pipa, the Spanish loanee from Ludogorets in Bulgaria, made his return to the field after more than a month and showcased his versatility by playing in an unexpected role. Corberan highlighted Pipa’s adaptability, stating, “We brought Pipa in as a right-back, but we are aware of his ability to cover left-back, right wing-back, and left wing-back positions. While he’s not naturally a winger, in situations where options are limited, he’s a player who possesses a high level of versatility that can benefit the team in various circumstances.”
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