The Athletic journalist Phil Hay thinks West Brom have a “really strong shot” at making the playoffs.
Hay, who covers Leeds United for the online publication, was speaking on the Square Ball podcast (22 December, 10:30) and said he was particularly impressed by the Baggies’ performance against Leicester City on 2 December.
West Brom suffered a heartbreaking last-gasp defeat to the table-topping Foxes in that match, but Hay thinks Carlos Corberan’s side – who are fifth – have really strong credentials for the top six.
“I watched West Brom against Leicester I was quite impressed by them, Corberan’s done good things down there,” Hay said.
“They’ve always been a pretty good team under him and again I think they’ve got a really, really strong shot at making the playoffs.”
If we are being completely honest, not many – perhaps outside of The Hawthorns – would have been tipping West Brom to be promotion contenders this term, based largely on the fact there has been so much off-field noise to contend with.
But the Baggies have been quietly impressive this term, going under the radar to cement themselves firmly in the playoff hunt under Corberan, a coach who is highly rated in the Championship.
There is an awful long way to go yet, and the Baggies still need to wait to find out if a takeover of the club will be completed because if it won’t then there might be some painful sales to contend with in January.
However, if Corberan can keep his squad together, get a few players off the treatment table, and possibly add one or two to his ranks in the transfer window, then West Brom are definitely in the question for the top six make no bones about it.
