West Bromwich Albion have endured a torrid season so far, with Steve Bruce having led his side to a miserable opening 16 games of the season.
Having fallen into the relegation zone, resulting in his sacking, the 61-year-old has flirted with numerous systems in a desperate attempt to salvage his season.
Now three points adrift, Carlos Corberan inherits a confused squad hugely lacking in confidence who need uniting.
The Spaniard does boast a set-in-stone system but with the tactical fluidity to trouble every opposition. He will likely implement a 3-4-3 system, which will rely heavily on the wing-backs to provide the width and attacking impetus.
Whilst Conor Townsend down the left is a solid option, Bruce struggled with who to play down the right.
By the end of his tenure, the starting man Darnell Furlong had dropped to the bench in favour of an experienced head in Matt Phillips.
Should West Brom sell Darnell Furlong?
The out-and-out winger provided far more offensive threat than the 26-year-old – who has just one goal this campaign.
Meanwhile, the Scotsman has one goal, one assist, and far more experience that can serve the incoming Spanish manager.
What might make Corberan more likely to ditch Furlong is the fact that he is the sixth most valuable asset (via TransferMarkt) from players who were signed before the summer.
Therefore, he could be seen as an expendable part to free up some money for the January transfer window.
The £15k-per-week commodity would prove a fine addition to plenty of Championship teams, whilst allowing a club that spent just £1.21m in the summer to hand their new manager some significant money.
Although he earned praise last season for his eccentric throw-in technique, which Phillips actually dubbed a “weapon”, he did go the whole of the 2021/22 campaign without scoring.
Perhaps now might be the perfect time to cash in on a man who has let Bruce down throughout his entire tenure.
It might be something of a ruthless call, but to improve the all-around squad, plus the fact they already have a more than capable stand-in, all point towards reasons why he should be sold.
