The next team in our End of Season review is the Championship runners-up, West Brom. The Baggies bounced straight back to the Premier League with a fantastic season that was only overshadowed by the performances of runaway leaders, Newcastle. An indication of their displays is that their points haul, 91, would have won the division in any one of the previous three seasons.

Myself and a flu-ravaged Mark teamed up this week to put them under the microscope:

The Statistics

A breakdown of West Brom’s stats last season reads:

CS = Cleansheets

The Manager

Roberto Di Matteo is described in some quarters as having a management style typical of an Italian international. In fact it’s more a mirror of his style as a player – with a delicate balance between defensive resolve and attacking sensibilities.

He arrived at the Hawthorns as a replacement for Tony Mowbray, whose unflinching dedication to attractive, flowing and, in the main, attacking football had won promotion from the Championship in 2008-09 with some style. Mowbray’s stubborn dedication to the passing game had been found out in the Premier League however, his approach simply not standing up to the rigours of the top flight. The Baggies lacked the quality to impose their patient, intricate build-ups on opponents and their soft underbelly was all too frequently exposed.

Di Matteo arrived from Milton Keynes Dons in the summer and took over a newly-relegated side that had been humbled but still possessed the quality to thrive in the Championship. To be fair promotion was expected but Di Matteo has achieved this by introducing a strong work ethic and dogged qualities that have seen them compete with the more agricultural members of the division when a passing game was forced from the agenda. But they can still play; Di Matteo adopted players who can pass to feet and while he has worked to resolve defensive frailties, this hasn’t come at the expense of decent football.

The Italian has also demonstrated flexibility in his approach. For much of the season Di Matteo set out his side in a familiar 4-4-2 and in the main, this saw them climb to an automatic promotion place. A 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest turned things on their head, however. That defeat saw Forest climb above them into second and provided the catalyst for a change in tactics and personnel that was to ultimately see West Brom go on a run of results that culminated in their promotion.

“The defining point was Forest. I had to change something…I changed the team, the set-up of the team, the shape and some personnel.”

Di Matteo’s new broom saw a switch to 4-5-1, a formation he was to keep for the rest of the season. This brought new solidity and handed the influential Graham Dorrans more license to forage from midfield. This tactical tweak also coincided with a return to fitness for Ishmael Miller, James Morrison and Giles Barnes and Di Matteo supplemented their returns with key loan moves for Ben Watson from Wigan and Steven Reid from Blackburn. Both played a major role in Di Matteo’s new tactic and were prominent in an end of season run that saw win all their remaining home matches, whilst losing just twice away from home. West Brom took 46 points from their last 22 matches in the 4-5-1 formation and coasted to the second automatic promotion place.

The 4-5-1 looks almost certain to remain then with Di Matteo likely to stress the need to compete before earning the right to play. In Fantasy terms attacking returns may be stifled somewhat but midfielders, particularly Dorrans and Chris Brunt may offer more value as they are charged with the responsibility of getting forward to contribute goals. Unlike under Mowbray’s stewardship, we shouldn’t be quick to write off defensive potential but there’s no doubt that the Baggies will find it hard once again to keep shut-outs if their 48 goals conceded this season offers any indication.

The Promoted Squad

As well as last season’s main players, West Brom have one or two talented individuals who saw their seasons blighted by injury. Here’s a look at those who should, if fit, play a part in the team’s season next term.

Scott Carson (43 starts)
The club captain, his wealth of Premiership experience will be vital if West Brom are to halt the yo-yo effect of alternating seasons in the Premier League and Championship. The above-mentioned change to 4-5-1 did not enhance West Brom’s clean sheet returns, with only seven of those final 22 games seeing their opponents finish goalless. Plenty of saves on the cards for Carson, then, if the Baggies are to stay afloat.

Gianni Zuiverloon (26 starts & 4 sub apps, 4 goals, 1 assist)
An adaptable player who can fill in at centre-half as well as his preferred right back position, the Dutchman showed his capabilities last season with the highest scoring season of his career to date. Injuries curtailed his appearances last season, and with Di Matteo rumoured to be looking for a new right-back this summer, his chances of a first-team starting position seem to be fading.

Marek Cech (29 starts & 4 sub apps, 2 goals, 1 assists)
Another versatile full back, Cech can play at left midfield as well as his more natural left back position. An attack-natured player, his game time was affected by a groin injury, but with the likes of Joe Mattock for competition, it’s by no means guaranteed he’ll be a first-choice pick.

Joe Mattock (26 starts & 3 sub apps)
A former England U21 international bought by Di Matteo last summer from Leicester. Like Cech, can play at left-back and left midfield, but his recent off-field problems have, amongst other factors, surely contributed to an up-and-down season for the highly-rated player.

Jonas Olsson (43 starts, 4 goals, 3 assists)
The rock at the heart of the West Brom defence, Olsson’s a real no-nonsense type of stopper. Grabbed himself a few goals and assists last season to add to a series of outstanding performances at centre-half. Injuries meant he missed a good part of the club’s previous Premier League campaign, but the vice-captain will be essential to their survival chances next season.

Gabriel Tamas (23 starts, 2 goals)
The on-loan centre half is rumoured to be on the verge of making the move from Auxerre a permanent one. A ball-playing defender, he’s a perfect foil for the more physical presence of Olsson at the back, and has the calmness, assurance and the ability to not only bring the ball out of defence but pick out a pass, too.

Youssouf Mulumbu (35 starts & 5 sub apps, 3 goals)
Di Matteo snapped up the defensive midfielder last summer in a deal that cost less than £200K, and his performances in the engine room have been outstanding. Despite his combative nature, Mulumbu picked up a mere 3 yellow cards last season, and his presence has allowed the more creative players the freedom to wreak havoc further up the pitch.

Jerome Thomas (22 starts & 5 sub apps, 7 goals, 3 assists)
Suspensions and back problems scuppered parts of his season, but last summer’s free-agent still showed he’s a valuable asset with a more-than-decent return of goals per game. His top-level experience could be invaluable in the Baggies quest for survival.

Robert Koren (26 starts & 8 sub apps, 5 goals, 3 assists)
The Slovenia captain is out of contract this summer, and has yet to decide his future. Out of favour for the first half of last season and was resultantly critical of Di Matteo’s selection policy, but Koren’s re-introduction to the team saw him become a key figure in the Baggies push for promotion. (West Brom have today announced they have not picked up an option in his contract, and he will leave the club this summer – Ed, 17.05)

Graeme Dorrans (42 starts, 13 goals, 19 assists)
Undoubtedly this man will be the one on our radars, perhaps above all other candidates from the promoted clubs. The statistics don’t lie. An impressive thirteen goals from the West Brom engine room is eye catching but it’s the 19 assists – ranking him top in the Championship last term, that really whets the appetite from a Fantasy perspective. The possessor of a strong right-foot finish, the ability to manipulate the ball and his vision to spot a pass are the key attributes in Dorrans’ locker. He’ll be a permanent fixture in West Brom’s central midfield and will likely hog penalties and set-pieces. The one caveat while we await his value across the Fantasy Games are his ten yellow cards and one red last term. These will raise early concerns that he could pick up a suspension or two once he’s amongst the elite and not getting it all his own way.

Chris Brunt (39 starts, 13 goals, 8 assists)
Brunt was a major success in West Brom’s last outing in the top flight, firing eight goals in his 34 appearances under Mowbray. A powerful and crafty left-foot is his key weapon, handing him strong delivery from the left. We saw it again this term with Brunt matching Dorrans for goals. Another assured starter in Di Matteo’s lineup, his Premier League experience and likely budget price could make him an darkhorse pick for our radars.

James Morrison (5 starts & 6 sub apps. 1 goal, 3 assists)
The diminutive winger has been cursed by injury and saw his Championship ravaged by a heel injury. Three goals and three assists in 29 appearances last time out in the Premier League doesn’t suggest Fantasy potential but at times Morrison looked a live wire that edged close to consideration. His price is likely to find him placed at the very bottom of the budget pile and that could be the factor that earns him interest if he can break out of his infatuation with the physio’s couch and maintain a regular start in the Baggies lineup.

Giles Barnes (1 start & 8 sub apps)
Still only 21 years old, Barnes’ career has been blighted by major injuries and despite his undoubted talents, the midfielder was released by Derby in December last season. Signed an 18 month contract with a one year extension option in February for West Brom, and has made tentative steps in coming back to full fitness. If he can recapture the form that saw him linked with several leading Premier League sides in his formative teenage years, Di Matteo will have grabbed a bargain.

Ishmael Miller (4 starts & 10 sub apps, 2 goals, 1 assist)
Another player who has had his potential tempered significantly by injury. Miller personifies potential in that he appears to have all the physical attributes that can make him a weapon at almost any level. Pure pace, brute strength and substantial power in his right foot bless him with all he needs to announce himself on a Premier League stage. Like Morrison however, he needs to steer clear of injuries in order to exploit his attributes. We only saw glimpses of the Miller potential in 2007/08 season with three goals in his 15 appearances. Having been cast aside by Man City well before the millions arrived, he’ll be eager to prove his Premier League worth this time around.

Roman Bednar (21 starts & 6 sub apps, 11 goals, 5 assists)
The ugly, unfashionable and certainly less explosive alternative to the Ishmael Miller gamble – Bednar is an awkward and solid centre-forward who is also returning for his second Premier League stint. Rather like Morrison, at times in the 2007/08 season he flirted with our Fantasy radars with six goals and an assist in just 12 starts. Thirteen sub appearances in that season plus six last term in the Championship underline the chief concern with the big Czech – he is far from assured starts and may find himself squeezed out or down the pecking order should Di Matteo introduce some added quality up front as expected.

Simon Cox (17 starts & 11 sub apps, 9 goals, 5 assists)
Di Matteo’s first signing as West Brom gaffer, the forward has a proven strike record out with the Premier League, though a step up will be a severe test for his qualities. With a host of strikers available, it remains to be seen whether the West Brom boss will allow him many starts, given his fondness for the stability of a 4-5-1.

The Potential Targets

“We will be positive but we will remain relatively prudent…Everyone has seen football clubs get into dire financial difficulties in recent years but this will not happen at Albion on my watch. We will continue to be sensible and realistic“.

The sentiments of West Brom’s chairman Jeremy Peace make it abundantly clear that the Baggies are unlikely to throw big money around during the summer months. Peace pointed out that the club spent £24m in preparation for Mowbray’s Premier League campaign – it seems very unlikely that the Baggies will get close to that sum this time around, despite the fact that such an amount failed to keep them up.

The Chairman’s call for caution already seems to have permeated its way into the thinking of the manager. Di Matteo stresses that he is looking to work with what he has rather than commit to sweeping changes.

“Firstly I would like to build something with the core group of players we’ve got. And then I believe we will have to add some players who are proven in the Premier League and have proven track records – either in the Premier League or in three or four of the top leagues in Europe…That’s the experience we need.”

The nucleus of West Brom’s promoted squad is likely to remain intact then – that includes the significant presence of Dorrans in midfield who, despite seemingly persistent interest from West Ham, looks set to remain an integral part of the Baggies quest for survival.

Acquisitions are likely to be modest. Given that Di Matteo moved to strengthen his midfield with the loan signing of Ben Watson, a central midfielder would seem to be high on the list of priorities. Inevitably so will a striker – particularly one that’s capable of leading the line in a 4-5-1.

Funds may be freed up, however, through the sale of record signing Borja Valero. Having spent a very successful season on loan at Real Mallorca, the playmaker looks set to return to the club with the Spanish team missing a recent deadline option to make the deal a £3.5m permanent one. Alternatively, if Albion decide to keep him, they could solve that central midfield dilemma in one fell swoop.

Judging by the early pre-season rumours, the Baggies are targeting Championship players with top level apperances under their belt, or existing Premier League players who have slipped down the pecking order at their current clubs. Sunderland right-back David Bardsley continues to be strongly linked with a move, in a deal rumoured to be in the region of £1.2m. Derby’s Rob Hulse – a useful target man and Notts County keeper Kasper Schmeichel have been shortlisted according to reports.

Blackburn’s Steven Reid, a great success during last season’s loan spell, has already confirmed he is in talks with the club, and as mentioned earlier, Gabriel Tamas look set to join from Auxerre in the aftermath of his loan spell last season. As in the case of Newcastle, we will revisit the Baggies in another article nearer the beginning of August as their summer acquisitions become more concrete.