Oxford win was 'best 90 minutes' under Mowbray - Mowatt

Alex Mowatt began his career with Leeds United, who West Bromwich Albion play next on 1 March

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Alex Mowatt believes they have a "great chance" of securing a top-six finish the longer they work with boss Tony Mowbray.

Mowbray returned to the club for second time in January, nearly 16 years after leaving for Celtic ahead of the 2009-10 season.

Under the 61-year-old, they have three wins, three defeats and two draws so far - with Saturday's victory over Oxford moving the Baggies up to fifth with 12 games remaining.

Mowatt notched his sixth goal of a productive season to see off the U's and thinks the side is improving under Mowbray.

"I think it's the best 90 minutes we've played under the gaffer since he's been here," Mowatt told BBC Radio WM.

"Last year I was playing further forward and I only scored two and now I'm playing just in front of the back four and I've got six, so it's a bit of a strange one."

Mowatt added that Mowbray has given the side "licence to express ourselves" and says he has done an excellent job in stabilising things following the shock departure of Carlos Corberan to Valencia on Christmas Eve.

"We're just buzzing [to be in the play-off places], we've got a great chance now and the longer the gaffer's here we're adapting to his style - it's very different to Carlos [Corberan].

"The top four are away but all the way down to 15 it's very tight. We want to stay in the play-offs and hopefully we can do that."