West Bromwich Albion continued their pre-season preparations with an impressive 2-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town at the Montgomery Waters Meadow on Saturday. The match provided valuable insights into Carlos Corberán's evolving squad, with several standout performances and tactical adjustments catching the eye.
Dominant first-half display sets the tone
The Baggies controlled proceedings from the outset, pressing high and moving the ball with purpose. New signing Josh Maja opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, latching onto a through ball from Jed Wallace and finishing calmly past the Shrewsbury goalkeeper. The lead was doubled just before half-time when Grady Diangana curled a superb effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.
According to Corberán, the performance was a step forward. “We showed intensity and quality in the first half. The goals were well-worked and the team executed our game plan effectively,” he said after the match.
New arrivals and tactical tweaks
Summer signings Maja and Paddy McNair both featured, with McNair slotting into central defence alongside Semi Ajayi. The defensive unit looked solid, limiting Shrewsbury to few clear chances. Corberán also experimented with a midfield trio of Alex Mowatt, Okay Yokuşlu, and John Swift, which provided both creativity and balance.
Winger Tom Fellows was particularly lively, causing problems down the left flank with his pace and direct running. His delivery for Diangana's goal highlighted his growing influence.
Second-half changes and fitness work
The second half saw wholesale changes as Corberán rotated his squad. Youngsters Josh Griffiths, Reyes Cleary, and Jamie Andrews gained valuable minutes. The tempo dropped slightly, but West Brom remained organised and saw out the game comfortably.
Shrewsbury posed a threat from set pieces, but goalkeeper Alex Palmer made a sharp save to preserve the clean sheet. The win continues Albion's unbeaten pre-season record, having previously drawn with Cambridge United and beaten Solihull Moors.
Key lessons from the fixture
Corberán's side showed promising signs of implementing his high-pressing philosophy. The midfield trio of Mowatt, Yokuşlu, and Swift offered a good balance of defensive cover and attacking flair. Maja's movement and finishing provided a focal point up front, while Diangana's confidence appears restored after a difficult recent season.
The match also underlined the depth available, with substitutes making little difference in quality. However, injuries remain a concern: defender Darnell Furlong missed the game with a minor knock, and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the next friendly.
Looking ahead to the season
West Brom have two more pre-season fixtures before the Championship campaign begins on August 10 against Leeds United. Next up is a trip to League One side Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday. Corberán emphasised the importance of building fitness and sharpness: “These games are about preparing for the real thing. We’re pleased with the progress but there’s still work to do.”
With the transfer window still open, further additions could arrive. The club is reportedly in the market for a left-back and a central midfielder. For now, the positive signs from Shrewsbury offer encouragement to supporters hoping for a promotion push.
