'You just feel...' - Ex-Aston Villa star drops West Brom sacking verdict amid Ryan Mason uncertainty

West Brom find themselves positioned in 15th place in the Championship table after their first 14 fixtures. They are five points off the play-offs. The Baggies lost 1-0 away at Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Tuesday night and conceded in stoppage time and Ryan Mason admitted afterwards that he is not doing ‘enough’ to get the best out of his players.

The Midlands outfit are back in action this weekend as they look to return to winning ways. They face Oxford United at The Hawthorns. Their upcoming opponents are sat in 21st position and are four points above the relegation zone.

Lee Hendrie delivers verdict on Ryan Mason’s West Brom future

West Brom turned to Mason in the summer and he was picked as their replacement for Tony Mowbray. He penned a three-year deal running until June 2025. The 34-year-old left his position on the coaching staff team at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League to take on his first number one managerial role in the Football League.

Former Aston Villa man Lee Hendrie has delivered his verdict on Mason’s future, as per a report by Football League World: "Obviously, he's on a dip in form at the moment, and that's where obviously you come under a mass of watchful eyes, don't you? Four games without a win, [they] drew with Sheffield Wednesday as well, which you felt was probably one for three points the way that Sheffield Wednesday's season has started and continued to be.

"But yeah, I say this a lot, the problem with West Brom is that they have struggled for goals, that's one area which has been a real grey point for them. They've got Oxford next up, which you would expect them to win at home, and then they have got two huge games against Coventry and Birmingham, which I can understand frustration because West Brom would be expecting to be doing better this season than what they are under Ryan. You just feel like a change might take them forward.”

He added: "But, that hasn't been the case so far, and I'm not a big fan of pushing the panic button just yet, because as I said, you know there's a winnable game coming up against Oxford, and then you go and get something out of the next two, which are derby games, and all of a sudden, you're flavour of the month.

"This is the Championship, it's a difficult league, you can get two or three wins under your belt, and suddenly you're in the play-offs, so I don't think it's that time yet, but as I said, the two derby games coming on the horizon, you do feel that that's where he has to certainly go and get some wins to turn his favours around."

Will West Brom sack Ryan Mason?

West Brom’s aim before a ball was kicked ahead of the campaign was to get into the top six. They have fallen short in terms of expectations so far but still have plenty of time to turn things around. Mason is a young coach who needs time and he is learning on the job.

The Baggies are winless in their last four outings though and have won only one of their last six matches. Therefore, they need to turn their fortunes around quick. This Saturday’s clash against Oxford before the international break is a vital one for Mason. If they lose or draw to the U’s, the heat will be further turned up on the ex-Spurs and Hull City midfielder.

West Brom were busy on the recruitment front in the last transfer window. They delved into the market to bring in the likes of Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham and Aune Heggebo, among others, to bolster their ranks. The likes of John Swift, Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana left to free up space and funds.

They are struggling to find consistency right now though which is proving to be frustrating. The Baggies have lacked that cutting edge at the top end of the pitch. They need to be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to get their season back on track and have the chance to sign new players in January.