Express & Star

Darren Moore ready to use West Brom squad over busy period

Darren Moore is ready to call on his squad in the busy weeks ahead after being impressed by his substitutes in the derby draw with Birmingham.

Published
Last updated
Darren Moore. (AMA)

The Baggies are back in action on Tuesday night with a home fixture against Bristol City, and that sparks a run of six games in 19 days.

Albion were distinctly second-best at St Andrew's in a 1-1 draw on Friday night, but improved late on.

"I thought when Gareth [Barry] came on, he and Hal [Robson-Kanu] brought more composure to the team," said Moore.

"And we fashioned a couple of chances at the end of the game that might have been cruel on Birmingham had we converted them."

When Albion's head coach was asked if Barry's cameo had given him food for thought ahead of Tuesday's game, he said: "I'll share with you what I said to them after the game, whatever players we chop and change, it's like for like for me. It's quality for quality.

"They keep each other sharp. We'll pick a shape, formation and system that we think will win the game.

"Each one of the players that we have in the club, we fill when called upon and asked to step in, they've got to perform.

"Gareth's come in [and done that]. Chris [Brunt] is another good player, Jake Livermore is a good player, Sam Field is a good player in that midfield department.

"Whichever combination we decide to go with, we know they possess good talent."

Moore has also added Wes Hoolahan to his midfield arsenal after snapping up the 36-year-old playmaker on a short-term contract, initially until January.

"He's a fantastic acquisition to the squad who will excite the Albion fans," added Moore. "He's an intelligent player, technically gifted, and he'll give the team another dimension."

Hoolahan has been brought in as competition and cover for 20-year-old Harvey Barnes, raising questions over James Morrison's position in the pecking order.

Albion's longest serving player has only started one league game this season and has missed the last two with a groin strain.

"Mozza's back in training," said Moore. "He's picking up his fitness. We'll look and analyse over the next couple of days before the Bristol game and see what shape the squad's in before we pick a team."

And Moore refused to rule out bolstering his squad again with more free agents.

"We've looked at a few players," he admitted. "Any player coming into West Brom will have to add something to the squad that's not already there."