West Brom manager Ryan Mason is facing growing scrutiny as a dismal start to his first full season in charge threatens to derail the club’s campaign. Results have been erratic, performances unconvincing, and the Baggies now find themselves stuck in mid-table as the festive period looms.
Supporters have become increasingly frustrated with Mason’s approach, questioning his tactics, in-game decisions and overall direction. A bleak midweek defeat to Southampton marked Albion’s seventh consecutive away loss, and just four wins in their last 16 matches has intensified calls for change in the dugout.
West Brom’s slump has coincided with a worrying downturn in form from attacking midfielder Isaac Price, who has struggled to recapture the spark that made him such a bright prospect last season. The 22-year-old had made a flying start to life in the Championship after arriving from Standard Liège, impressing with his pressing energy, technical ability and adaptability across several positions.
His early impact under Tony Mowbray had even drawn interest from Premier League sides including Sunderland, Burnley, Fulham and Leeds United. But that momentum has stalled under Mason. After opening the season with three goals in his first two games and later netting brilliant strikes against Preston and Watford, Price’s influence has faded dramatically. He has now gone nine league matches without scoring and has been substituted early or left on the bench in recent weeks.
Price’s struggles mirror the team’s broader issues. His passing has lacked sharpness, his confidence on the ball appears diminished, and he has been unable to impose himself in games the way he once did. Whether Mason’s management is to blame remains a point of debate, but it’s clear the manager is failing to unlock the best from one of the club’s most valuable assets.
That decline is also a concern for the West Brom hierarchy, who may need to rely on Price as a major saleable player following last summer’s departures of Torbjorn Heggem and Tom Fellows. With his form dipping, top-flight clubs are likely to cool their interest unless he finds his rhythm again.
A managerial change could breathe new life into the midfielder, and unless results improve quickly, the pressure on Mason will only intensify. For Price, the coming months represent the biggest challenge of his young career. If he hopes to earn a Premier League move, he must rediscover the drive and quality that once made him stand out.
Right now, neither the club nor the player are benefitting from the current situation. Until Price proves he can bounce back, teams like Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley would be wise to reconsider any substantial January investment.