West Bromwich Albion midfielder John Swift has stated that Mikey Johnston will need to wait for his opportunity to rejoin the squad, as Karlan Grant’s strong form currently keeps him out.
Despite the disappointment of losing to Southampton in last season’s play-off semi-finals, West Brom have started the new campaign on a high note.
On Sunday, the Baggies secured their fourth win in five league matches with a commanding 3-0 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park, thanks to a goal from Josh Maja and a brace from Alex Mowatt.
West Brom now sit atop the Championship table, an impressive feat given that they were operating under an EFL-enforced financial plan during the summer to avoid breaching the league’s financial regulations.
| Championship table (as it stands 16th September) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | West Brom | 5 | 7 | 13 |
| 2 | Sunderland | 5 | 8 | 12 |
| 3 | Blackburn Rovers | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| 4 | Burnley | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| 5 | Watford | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| 6 | Sheffield United | 5 | 5 | 9 |
| 7 | Oxford United | 5 | 3 | 9 |
| 8 | Derby County | 5 | 2 | 9 |
Swift, who has developed a strong relationship with Johnston, shared that while Johnston remains a key figure in the team, he may have to be patient due to Grant’s current form. Swift revealed that the two of them watched Celtic’s 3-0 win over Rangers together earlier in the month but made it clear that Grant’s contributions make it tough to displace him.
“Everyone knows how important he was when he came in,” Swift told *Birmingham Live*. “He’s a great guy and gets along with everyone. He needs to wait for his chance because KG [Karlan Grant] is doing really well at the moment.”
Swift also admitted that it seemed unlikely Johnston would return to the club, but once talks progressed, the move became a reality. Swift humorously mentioned that Johnston went to teammate Jayson Molumby’s place at 2 a.m. to celebrate, jokingly adding that Johnston wouldn’t be staying with him while looking for a new home.
Although Swift was linked with a potential move to Middlesbrough in July, he stayed with West Brom and expressed his surprise at the team’s impressive start to the season.
“Inside the dressing room, we knew we had a strong squad, but to start like this… I don’t think anyone expected it,” Swift admitted. “I’m 29 now, so I’ve learned to expect changes in every squad. Some players have done well and moved on, but you get used to it. Once the window closes, everyone is focused on the games.”
He also highlighted the importance of squad depth, noting, “The majority of the squad is fit now. Having quality players on the bench who can come on and change the game is a huge advantage.”
**Alex Mowatt Reacts to West Brom’s 3-0 Win Over Portsmouth in Just Two Words**
After scoring twice in West Brom’s dominant 3-0 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park, Alex Mowatt took to Instagram to celebrate the team’s performance. The midfielder kept it simple, using just two words to express his satisfaction with the victory.
**Mikey Johnston “Headache” a Positive for Carlos Corberán**
The competition between Mikey Johnston and Karlan Grant is proving to be a positive challenge for West Brom manager Carlos Corberán. Johnston’s return to the squad after a successful loan spell and Grant’s current form give Corberán a selection dilemma. However, this depth in attacking options is a welcome problem, highlighting the team’s strength and versatility as they continue their impressive start to the season.
Swift is correct that Johnston might need to wait for his chance to rejoin the starting lineup, and the competition for places is a positive dilemma for Corberán.
Although West Brom reached the play-offs last season, the squad’s lack of depth was noticeable at times. This season, however, depth is no longer a concern for Corberán.
Grant has been impressive since his return this summer, playing a key role in Albion’s strong start to the season. As a result, Corberán faces a tough decision about whether to drop him.
Given the substantial fee paid for Johnston, it’s likely that he will eventually become a regular starter on the left wing. However, Johnston will need to prove himself to ensure he secures his spot in the lineup over Grant.
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