West Bromwich Albion

Odds: 8/1

Last Five Seasons

2005/06 – 19 (Premiership, Relegated), 2004/05 – 17 (Premiership), 2003/04 – 2 (Championship, Promoted), 2002/03 – 19 (Premiership, Relegated), 2001/02 – 2 (Championship, Promoted).

2005/06 Cup Progress

FA Cup Third Round (replay) vs Reading (a) – lost 3-2 after extra time.

Carling Cup Fourth Round vs Manchester United (a) – lost 3-1.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Nathan Ellington (striker) – 8 goals.

Players In

John Hartson (Celtic – Undisclosed), Chris Perry (Charlton Athletic – Free)

Players Out

Andy Johnson (Leicester City – Free).

West Bromwich Albion bombed out of the Premiership following two seasons in the top flight and manager Bryan Robson will be keen on an instant return. In recent seasons the Baggies have proven they are too good for the Championship but tend to struggle when they do win promotion.

Robson has endeavoured to keep his best players at the club despite interest from the Premiership. The club rejected bids from Manchester United for goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, citing their desire for a cash plus two unnamed players – one on loan and one on a permanent deal in order for the Polish international to move to Old Trafford.

The Baggies turned down a transfer request from midfielder Zoltan Gera who joined the club from Ferencvaros for £1.5m in July 2004 but was restricted to just 15 league appearances last season. A joint £10 million offer for Nathan Ellington and Curtis Davies from Wigan Athletic was also turned down. Davies joined the club on transfer deadline day last August for £3 million and has also been linked with moves to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The future of Welsh international Jason Koumas has also been an ongoing saga with the club rejecting a £1 million plus further £1 million in add ons offer from Cardiff City, where Koumas excelled on loan last season.

With these players all set to remain at the Hawthors, Robson has been very frugal in the transfer market and made just two additions to the squad. Celtic striker John Hartson signed for an undisclosed fee following five seasons in Scotland where he scored more than 100 goals.

Charlton Athletic defender Chris Perry joined on a free transfer after being released in the summer after three seasons at The Valley. The 33 year old Perry has made over 400 appearances in his career.

Verdict

Manager Bryan Robson has done well to fend off the vultures following the club’s relegation and has kept onto in-demand players such as Curtis Davies and Zoltan Gera. It will be a tough battle at the top of the Championship next season and the Baggies could miss out on automatic promotion and have to make do with a place in the play offs.

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