Steve Bruce steadied the ship at West Bromwich Albion without mounting a serious bid for the Championship playoffs. Can the Baggies get back up to the big time in 2022/23?
What happened last year?
There was a lot of expectation on West Bromwich Albion (WBA) in 2021/22 to find their way back to Premier League, as they started the season with Valerien Ismael at the helm. The Frenchman guided Barnsley to the playoffs in the 2020/21 season and even convinced his former side’s star man Alex Mowatt to leave the Tykes to re-join him at WBA.
Things started off well for Ismael having claimed four wins and a draw at the start of the season, but things quickly turned sour when the team struggled to replicate their early season form over the Christmas period. The club sacked him after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Millwall in February.
Former Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is now in charge of the Baggies and steadied the club’s fortunes towards the end of the season without mounting a serious playoff bid. Bruce has a wealth of experience and has won promotion to the Premier League four times – twice each with Birmingham and Hull.
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Key signings?
Jed Wallace
WBA have used been very shrewd in the transfer window so far having picked up one of Reading’s top performers in John Swift on a free and captured the service of Jayson Molumby from Brighton who was on loan at the club last season.
The biggest result for the Baggies, however, was the acquisition of Millwall’s star man Jed Wallace. Wallace has been a standout perform for the Lions over the last three years, notching six goals and 12 assists for Gary Rowett’s side last year.
And who’s out?
Sam Johnstone
The biggest lost to Bruce’s men has to be England international Sam Johnstone who left the club on a free transfer to Crystal Palace earlier in the summer. Despite a disappointing season, Johnstone was still able to keep 15 clean sheets in 36 games. Perhaps more disappointingly for the Baggies, they were unable to convince him to resign so missed out on a transfer fee.
Who is their star man?
Karlan Grant
The 24-year-old enjoyed a profitable season last year having a goal return of 18 goals and six assists in the Championship. Grant has been with WBA since 2020 and was at the club when they suffered relegation from the top flight but really stepped up last year in the Championship, a league that he is comfortable in having scored 37 times across 87 appearances in his last two Championship seasons.
With the inclusion of more creative talent in the form of Wallace and Swift you can only imagine Grant’s goal return going up this year. He is currently a best price of 18/1 to finish the season as the Championship top goalscorer.
What can we expect from them in 2022/23?
If they can find a solid replacement for Johnstone in goal, then you fancy their chance of pushing for an automatic place which is certainly within reach for this talented squad. WBA are currently a best price of 3/1 (worst price 9/4) to secure promotion this year.
As previously alluded to, WBA have made some very shrewd investments in proven Championship quality players and with the hope that Bruce still has a bit of knowledge of the league then going on a deep run is certainly not out of the questions for the Baggies.
Where do the odds project them to finish?
WBA are currently third favourites to win the Championship betting market at a best price of 10/1 (8/1 shortest).
Any recommended bets?
Anything other than promotion will be seen as a disappointment from the fan base and club hierarchy, so the best odds of 3/1 to achieve promotion is simply too appealing not to take a chance on.
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