Premier League Preview
West Bromwich Albion
Manager: Alan Irvine
Captain: Jonas Olsson
13/14 position: 17th
Top League Goalscorer: Saido Berahino and Stéphane Sessègnon, 5
A club known for being sensible, it seems that West Brom actually forgot they were meant to be sensible. From not signing Lukaku back on loan to deciding to spend £6m on Victor Anichebe, to getting rid of Steve Clark for Betis’ sacked manager Pepe Mel, to now appointing a man who failed at Sheffield Wednesday in Alan Irvine after just staying up.
It just seems that after the madness of last season, when Clarke who had overachieved getting the Baggies to 8th in 12/13 was sacked for a man who clearly struggled to adapt and get his players playing the football he wanted them too. Saido Berahino broke through last season, but the fact he had a scrap with James Morrison after a mistake led to Cardiff claiming a 3–3 draw in the last seconds of the game showed that tempers at The Hawthorns were high.
The sale of Shane Long and the fact they didn’t replace Romelu Lukaku just seemed daft, and now the Baggies go into the season relying on Brown Ideye, a Nigerian striker from Dynamo Kiev for £10m, just seems against normal West Brom procedure. The signing of Joleon Lescott is good, but if the rumours that he is disgruntled by the lack of decent signings is true, who knows what the other players are feeling? I fear the worst. 19th
FANS OPINION: Josh Bland @J_Bland_Writer
What is your idea of a good season for your club?
As much as it probably hurts most Albion fans to admit it, survival is a success for us this season. Last year’s atrocious showing has knocked us back a bit.
Worst case scenario?
Another season of lacklustre performances and off pitch instability leading to a relegation. Certainly, if we don’t get in a couple more strikers and get points on the board early, I fear that this nightmare may come true.
Best player?
Pretty close run thing between Ben Foster and Yousouff Mulumbu, but Foster edges it for his international pedigree and point saving performances last season. He’s England #1 don’t you know?
Player you’d happily drive to his next club?
Bizarrely, there isn’t really anyone after Popov and Ridgewell have left. I guess one player who seems a bit of a weird addition is Chris Baird, considering how many defenders we have now- though his versatility is useful. I’m being harsh there though.
Fans hero?
Seeing as I gave Foster best player, I’ll plump with Mulumbu for this one. Has one of the best chants going dedicated to him from Albion fans.
If you could pick, who would you want your team to do the double over this year?
Although most Albion fans would pick Villa, I am going to go with Stoke. Never seem to get a victory over them.
League winners?
I think it’s hard to look past the moneybags of Man City, although Chelsea and Arsenal will give them a good run for their money.
Relegated?
I think survival will be a stretch too far for Burnley and Leicester. I personally think that Villa may well go down with them, but in honesty there are 7 or 8 teams who could find themselves in trouble- including us.
Surprise package?
I am going to go with Sunderland. I really rate Gus Poyet as a manager, and they have made a couple of sturdy additions to their squad. Expecting a top half finish from them.
Who will win the golden boot?
Obviously aside from Victor Anichebe, I think that Sergio Agüero will be up there again. Maybe Arsenal’s new boy Alexis Sanchez can challenge too?