Oxford win was ‘best 90 minutes’ under Mowbray – Mowatt

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Alex Mowatt believes they have a “great chance” of securing a top-six finish the longer they work with boss Tony Mowbray.

Mowbray returned to the club for second time in January, nearly 16 years after leaving for Celtic ahead of the 2009-10 season.

Under the 61-year-old, they have three wins, three defeats and two draws so far – with Saturday’s victory over Oxford moving the Baggies up to fifth with 12 games remaining.

Mowatt notched his sixth goal of a productive season to see off the U’s and thinks the side is improving under Mowbray.

“I think it’s the best 90 minutes we’ve played under the gaffer since he’s been here,” Mowatt told BBC Radio WM.

“Last year I was playing further forward and I only scored two and now I’m playing just in front of the back four and I’ve got six, so it’s a bit of a strange one.”

Mowatt added that Mowbray has given the side “licence to express ourselves” and says he has done an excellent job in stabilising things following the shock departure of Carlos Corberan, external to Valencia on Christmas Eve.

“We’re just buzzing [to be in the play-off places], we’ve got a great chance now and the longer the gaffer’s here we’re adapting to his style – it’s very different to Carlos [Corberan].

“The top four are away but all the way down to 15 it’s very tight. We want to stay in the play-offs and hopefully we can do that.”

Ryan Mason set for big West Brom test ahead of new season

West Bromwich Albion will play a high profile fixture before the season gets underway

West Brom have confirmed a glamour friendly with a Spanish side the weekend before the Championship season gets under way.

The Baggies will play La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano at The Hawthorns on Saturday, August 2, with kick-off at 1pm, as Ryan Mason finalises preparations for his first season at the helm.

The Madrid-based club finished in eighth place in Spain’s top flight last season, earning qualification for the UEFA Conference League play-offs.

Their manager is Inigo Perez and the top scorer Jorge de Frutos. Their season starts the week after Albion’s so they should bring a strong group of players.

It is the latest in a series of summer friendlies to be confirmed, with fixtures against Blackpool and Lincoln already in the schedule so far and more to be added as and when.

The club said: “Ticket details for pre-season fixtures will be announced in due course. Keep an eye across the club’s website and social media channels for further friendly announcements over the coming weeks.”

It means confirmed pre-season friendlies thus far are Blackpool away (Saturday, July 19, 3pm), Lincoln away (Saturday, July 26, 3pm) and Rayo Vallecano.

Albion will find out their Championship fixtures next Thursday at midday.

Grady Diangana transfer development after West Brom exit

The former West Bromwich Albion winger is in demand

Grady Diangana, the winger released by West Bromwich Albion at the end of last season, has reportedly been approached by Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq.

However, it’s believed the player would rather remain in Europe than head to the Middle East – with supposed interest from his former Baggies boss Carlos Corberan.

His six-year stay at The Hawthorns came to an end in the summer. Having joined on an initial loan deal from West Ham United in 2019, the attacker agreed a five-year contract with the club after helping them seal promotion under Slaven Bilic in 2020.

Diangana, who set Albion back an initial £12m, struggled for consistency and after Bilic’s exit he failed to establish himself under Sam Allardyce but did return to something like his best form in spells over the last four campaigns.

Under Corberan, in 2023-24, Diangana was at his most fruitful. As Albion reached the play-offs he made 15 goal contributions in 36 Championship appearances.

But last year Diangana’s numbers were a little more modest. As a result, Albion decided against extending his stay and he’s now on the look out for a new club.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims the 27-year-old has been contacted by Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq, who finished seventh in the Pro League last year, offering a lucrative offer.

But Diangana would rather remain in Europ, with suggestions that Corberan, who is working again with former Albion chief executive Ron Gourlay at Valencia, might take him to the La Liga club.