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West Brom debrief: Maligned loan pair make their point as win brings relief but second-half chorus telling

Albion bounced back from a rare Hawthorns defeat to reignite their strong home form with the victory over QPR.

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By Lewis Cox
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Set-pieces were the difference as defenders George Campbell and Nat Phillips headed home. Here are some talking points in the debrief.

Taylor influence

Eyebrows were raised as experienced loanee Charlie Taylor was listed as a central defender when the teamsheet arrived.

The loan left-back, 32, made just his ninth Baggies start and shifted into the middle at the expense of Chris Mepham despite struggling in his natural left-back against Bristol City on Boxing Day.

Ryan Mason explained afterwards the decision to play Taylor there was tactical, to have a left footer on the left side, and it paid off for the head coach.

Charlie Taylor filled in at centre-back for Albion in the victory over Oxford and fared well. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
It was the second time Taylor has started as a central defender in a back four for Albion and, like against Oxford in early November, it resulted in a 2-1 home win. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)