[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

The return of Tony Mowbray to the Hawthorns for the first time since he was given a hero's ovation in May 2009 couldn't be more aptly timed, with Albion's last outing against Derby showcasing some of the most self-destructive defending we've seen since those heady days a decade ago. The mission to turn us once again into the Arsenal of the Championship may be a laudable one, but trying to play Wenger football with George Graham players was always going to come a cropper sooner or later.

Switching to four at the back and keeping it simple has to be the first step to getting us back on track. Safety first is the watchword in defence, and in the final third, little one-touch flicks and backheels are the stuff you indulge yourself in with a three-goal cushion, not when you're chasing the game. Not much can be done about the mobility and defensive capabilities of our central midfield till January, but we need players at the heart of the pitch who are willing and able to make themselves available for a pass every time the defenders have the ball, because Give It Back To Johnstone syndrome has to stop.

Rovers are about on a par with us in the form table, with three wins from the last six and one of the league's hot talents in Bradley Dack. Mowbray has to fancy a happy return to B71; it's up to Big Dave to learn quickly and make the changes that are needed.