West Bromwich Albion - fan's 2008/09 Premier League preview
Friday, 08 Aug 2008 13:17
West Bromwich Albion - fan's 2008/09 Premier League preview
A supporter's views and expectations for the 2008/09 season.
Last season
Championship: 1st - P 46 W 23 D12 L 11 GF 88 GA 55 GD +33 PTS 81
FA Cup: Semi-finalists - lost 1-0 to Portsmouth
League Cup: Third round - lost 4-2 to Cardiff City
The manager
Tony Mowbray suffered heartbreak in his first season with the Baggies, losing in the Championship play-off final against Derby after falling away from automatic promotion in the final few games.
However, his side came back strongly last year after a summer of upheaval and secured promotion to the top flight at the second time of asking following relegation in 2005-2006.
Mowbray won plaudits from fans and pundits alike for the attacking philosophy he stamped all over the team as they edged out Stoke to win the Championship title.
The Baggies also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, taking part in the first of its kind to be played at the new Wembley and only losing narrowly to eventual winners Portsmouth.
The former Hibs boss is seen as a safe pair of hands and if he maintains his adventurous style in the Premier League, West Brom will undoubtedly win many admirers over the course of the season.
Chances of managerial change?
Hard to predict, although if the Baggies 'do a Reading' and come flying out of the blocks there is surely very little chance that Mowbray will be replaced.
The Baggies fans are loyal and realistic, and have seen the ups and downs of being a Premier League club during Bryan Robson's tenure, so they are likely to be patient with their boss.
There have been rumours during the summer that chairman Jeremy Peace may be looking to sell the club to investors.
A deadline of the end of July was set for potential suitors to come forward, but a lack of firm interest has seen Peace admit that no sale will take place for now.
However, football can change quickly, and if a buyer does come forward in the coming months, they may have their own ideas on who they want to manage the club.
The players
Exits
Baggies fans were undoubtedly sad to see Kevin Phillips leave the club, after he smashed 24 goals in 30 starts last year, winning the supporters' and official club player of the year awards in the process.
Although the former England man is still a brilliant finisher, it would be fair to suggest that his lack of pace could have been exposed by the top sides.
The signing of Czech frontman Roman Bednar, who performed well during a loan spell from Hearts last season, plus the presence of the impressive young Ishmael Miller, should reassure the West Brom faithful.
Talented centre-back Curtis Davies is another player the fans would have wanted to stay at the Hawthorns for the upcoming campaign.
But after a successful loan spell at Aston Villa, Davies was always likely to make the move, and the rumoured £9m-£10m received should help fund Mowbray's squad strengthening.
The Baggies also lost Zoltan Gera, who made the switch to Fulham on a Bosman after turning down a new contract - his intelligent linking of the midfield and attack will undoubtedly be missed.
Experienced Danish international centre-back Martin Albrechtsen has departed for relegated Derby, despite featuring heavily in West Brom's successful campaign last year.
New arrivals
Mowbray was delighted to capture the signing of Zuiverloon, a natural defender with a decent turn of pace who can play either at right back or centre back.
The youngster played a key role in Holland's UEFA European Under-21 Championship victory last summer, being named in the team of the tournament and scoring the winning penalty in the epic semi-final shoot-out against England.
He was also a pivotal figure in Heerenveen's excellent season in the Dutch league, helping his side finish in a very respectable fifth, securing UEFA Cup qualification in the process.
Cech is an attack-minded left back who should fit perfectly into Mowbray's attacking mentality, if he is selected ahead of experienced Premier League campaigner Paul Robinson.
An economical purchase, the Slovakian should offer great natural width and has a wealth of experience after making nearly 80 appearances in three years at Portuguese champions Porto.
The signing of England keeper Scott Carson is also a major coup for the Baggies, and the £3.5m price tag looks to be good business as Liverpool were demanding £10m off Villa not too long ago.
Carson made a decent impression on loan at Villa Park last year, despite his horror international debut in the ill-fated Wembley defeat against Croatia that cost England their place at Euro 2008 and Steve McClaren his job.
It remains unclear as to whether Mowbray will throw the former Leeds man in at the deep end, but either way he will only benefit from the competition and training with veteran keeper Dean Kiely.
Luke Moore has also been recruited from Villa after spending ten goalless games on loan at the Hawthorns at the back end of last year.
He has decent Premier League pedigree despite never being a truly prolific scorer, but his pace should give the Baggies a useful counter-attacking outlet, particularly against the teams likely to be in and around them.
Needs
The squad looks to be fairly well balanced, particularly in midfield, where the likes of experienced skipper Jonathan Greening, the attack-minded Robert Koren and talented winger Chris Brunt should provide energy and guile.
Any team looking to survive in the Premier League should be looking to bring in experienced top-flight performers, and the signing of an established centre back would add depth in a key area.
With the focus of Mowbray's team set to be attack, goals are also likely to be going in at the wrong end, but if a decent foundation can be put in place everything else will follow.
The fanbase
Baggies fans go into the season with optimism, just as most promoted teams do in the current climate - happy to be on board for the rollercoaster ride and hopeful of success.
They are a passionate bunch and will turn up the volume at the Hawthorns to get behind the team, while they are undoubtedly largely behind Mowbray.
The apparent conclusion to the uncertainty in the boardroom will also be welcomed, allowing the players to focus on the massive task at hand.
Prediction for 2008/09
West Brom will do well to avoid a nervy relegation battle this season, although they could just as equally surprise everyone by sitting comfortably below mid-table by May.
Much will depend on keeping key players fit and Mowbray's man-management skills, namely his ability to raise spirits if heavy defeats are inflicted on his side.
One thing is for sure though, the Baggies will not be the new Derby, and if they do eventually drop back into the Championship, it certainly will not be without a fight.
Chris Bryant