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Mowbray hails 'mature' Chaplow

Last updated : 02 February 2007 By Danny Deeming
Tony Mowbray has admitted Richard Chaplow's fine form in West Brom's engine room prevented him from buying a new midfielder last month.The Albion boss has gone on record as saying he felt the 'balance' of the team wasn't quite right as aside from Ronnie Wallwork, his squad was missing a defensive-minded midfielder. Mowbray was linked with moves for Hibernian duo Kevin Thomson and Scott Brown in January's transfer window. But as he scoured the market, he paired Chaplow with playmaker Jonathan Greening in midfield, and the former Burnley star has revelled in a central role, being named man of the match in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Plymouth. Mowbray revealed he had spoken to the 22-year-old and asked him to play the 'breaking-up' role in the middle of the park.
He said: "I had a chat with Richard about how we wanted him to play and he has really matured over the last couple of games."
Chaplow was signed from the Clarets by Bryan Robson, who never gave him an extended run in the first team. But he is now starting to fulfill his potential, and has been a key figure in Albion's recent five-match winning run which has seen them move into the frame for automatic promotion, as well as reaching the FA Cup fifth round, where they face Bristol City or Middlesbrough away from home.