West Brom’s transition from yo-yo club to perennial mid-table-sitters has been a smooth one. Several managers have taken the reigns, but the period has not been littered with near-miss disasters like many others in their situation.
The closest thing to terrorising drama for the Baggies has been the saga of Saido Berahino. Continued mismanagement of the situation from all parties has seen this disrupt the club for far longer than any would wish to remember. Although the fact that it is such a standout issue at the club goes to show that things are not exactly rocky.
Rumblings of discontent from Tony Pulis about the summer window suggest the club could be about to enter another transitional period, though. Squad management has not been a disaster, but it does raise questions about where they are aiming to go.
Without further ado, here are THREE reasons the Baggies should reach for the top…
On the brink
An end of season slump worsened West Brom’s eventual finish last time around, but the Baggies were secure from relegation way before the dreaded ‘business end’. The year before it was the same, finishing with a comfortable 13th placed finish.
Consolidation is a process talked about a lot with the lower mid-table Premier League clubs and, under the stringent guidelines of Pulis, it is fair to say West Brom have passed it with flying colours. Relegation this season is still a possibility, as it is for 12 or 13 clubs, but it would be going against the grain a little.
Calculated spending and a change of tact could see West Brom burst through the Premier League’s glass ceiling. It may seem irrelevant, but becoming a top half side makes a marked difference to the stature of a club.
Little to lose
The relative safety from relegation gives West Brom a springboard. Secure from the risks of plunging to an Aston Villa-esque collapse and with a manager who can always revert to a defensively astute system, it is hardly a leap of great faith to free up a little.
Pulis has built a squad with the experience, nous and commitment to remain in the Premier League. Now, however, that is complemented by some attacking flair. If this can be harnessed in equal measure, we could be staring at a truly formidable team. Matt Phillips, Nacer Chadli and Salomon Rondon can cause problems for the best of defences, for instance.
Purpose
Making a bold assumption here, but getting footballers is not all about offering the most money.
To attract greater talents/the players required, clubs need to be able to offer something. In this sense the transfer market is self-fulfilling. A public effort to push the side into a different realm of Premier League contention might be needed for West Brom to lure potential signings into scribbling on the dotted line.
By the same logic, it can only help the club in retaining some of their current players too. Perhaps even Saido Berahino would have been tempted into remaining at the club.
Perhaps these discussions are beginning internally at The Hawthorns. There must be people invested in taking the side to the next level, particularly with such a low level of risk. It doesn’t have to be brave, bold or groundbreaking, but slight tweaks could see West Brom shift their place in the Premier League and begin another transition towards regular top half competitors.
