Tony Mowbray delivers damning West Brom verdict and pinpoints 'crazy' Blackburn scenario

West Brom suffered a stinging blow to their Championship play-off hopes with a disappointing loss to fellow top-six challengers Blackburn on Wednesday night.

The Hawthorns faithful went home frustrated after watching the Baggies concede two sloppy goals and struggle to penetrate through the visitors’ low block. Rovers had just 34 per cent of the ball but were clinical to score twice, striker Makhtar Gueye netting a stunning volley and a composed second to claim all three points.

Albion supporters weren’t the only ones deflated afterward as Mowbray entered the press room in a very subdued mood. The head coach was disappointed with his side’s lack of bravery from the wide areas, as well as the absence of physicality for both of the goals conceded.

Mowbray was particularly let down as he knows how important the result could turn out to be in the play-off fight. The 61-year-old is also still trying to figure out the exact reason behind the hot and cold nature of Albion’s form, a sticking point all season.

“I don’t think it’s new, I was told we hadn’t won back to back games since September. It’s telling me it’s not new, it’s the players we’ve got,” Mowbray told BirminghamWorld when asked about West Brom’s inconsistency.

“I need to get under the surface of the team and find out why that is. We need to find the answer with the mentality of the team because I think the talent’s there.

“The defeat you feel and it hurts a lot, especially as we’re trying to build momentum. We’d just won a game at the weekend and then we have another home game, it doesn’t matter who it is as you feel you can win your home games.

“We were desperate to make it back-to-back wins and create a little gap and yet it now all closes up again. It feels like when the wheels stop turning in May, you’ve got to be on a good run. That’s where we are and we have to accept it; we need to try and find consistency and find the players who can do the job.”

Mowbray confused why Armstrong’s goal was ruled out

The Baggies didn’t deserve to beat Blackburn by any means, but they did see two goals disallowed when they were still 1-0 down. Will Lankshear’s ruled out tap-in was offside - fair enough - but Adam Armstrong was controversially denied.

In for his second-straight start since joining on deadline day, Armstrong headed in at the far post from a corner but was penalised for placing two hands on the back of Blackburn defender Dominic Hyam. It looked harsh from a first glance and especially so when the replays showed.

Albion fans were understandably infuriated at the decision from referee David Webb, while Armstrong looked utterly bemused that he’d been denied a second West Brom goal in as many matches. Mowbray is yet to watch the incident back but he wasn’t pleased based on first impressions.

“A crazy scenario,” Mowbray admitted. “You see everybody holding on set plays, everybody’s blocking and got two arms around the waist and yet Adam Armstrong’s goal that wasn’t a goal is ruled off for putting two hands on the back of the defender. Everyone else is body wrestling around the box,” he exclaimed.

Albion, on a lose, win, lose, win, lose streak at current, will be hoping they can flip the coin and secure a win at the weekend as they take on Millwall away from home.