West Bromwich Albion had their first pre-season outing yesterday afternoon as they comfortably dispatched Port Vale 3-0.
Brandon Thomas-Asante, Adam Reach and Karlan Grant were the trio to find the net against their League One opposition, but Alex Mowatt was the name on Baggies’ fans lips come the full-time whistle.
The 28-year old spent the entirety of last season on loan with Middlesbrough as Michael Carrick’s side secured a spot in the Championship play-off spots, only to lose out in the semi-finals to Coventry City.
Making 31 appearances during his Teesside spell, Mowatt managed just two assists during the campaign. It is safe to say that the midfielder has a point to prove on his return to the West Brom fold this summer, and his first pre-season performance certainly did him no harm.
Playing as part of the Baggies’ second half XI, the former Barnsley man grabbed himself two assists to see through a routine victory over the Valiants.
Could Mowatt finally make his Baggies breakthrough?
Already leading 1-0 courtesy of Thomas-Asante’s strike midway through the first half, Mowatt teed up Reach with a lofted ball over the top which his teammate spectacularly volleyed into the back of the net from 15 yards out to double their lead.
Moments later, Mowatt was involved again as he burst into Vale’s penalty area before laying the ball into the path of Grant whose well-driven shot made it three.
The midfielder has managed just 36 appearances for the Baggies since signing in the summer of 2021, but is now presented with an opportunity to test the reserve of head coach Carlos Corberan and prove that he can become a dependable member of the squad.
Having already been linked with midfield reinforcements this transfer window, it is important for Mowatt to strike whilst the iron is hot. With a few more performances in the same vein as his showing yesterday, he may just prove his worth.