Barclays Premier League Season Preview- West Bromich Albion

Tom Harper previews West Bromich Albion ahead of the 2011-2012 Barclays Premier League season.
Expectations: Premier League: 12th FA Cup: Quarter Finals Carling Cup: Quarter Finals


Key Player:


The obvious choice for our key player next season would be Peter Odemwingie, whose 15 Premier League goals in his debut season with the club essentially ensured that we avoided relegation. His form since Roy Hodgson's arrival in February was particularly impressive, so it will be interesting to see how he does after a full pre-season working with Hodgson. 

A fully fit Dorrans will be 'like having a new signing.'

However, I am going to choose a slightly more unusual candidate for our key player next season in the form of Graham Dorrans. He missed much of last season due to personal and injury problems, but was our star player in the Championship the season before that and showed brief glimpses of that quality last season. With Dorrans returning to full fitness, it will be having a new signing and he undoubtedly has the potential to be a success for us next season.


Despite a poor run of form in the middle of last season, it was an incredible campaign for us last season. Some of the results we achieved (winning at the Emirates and drawing at Old Trafford) are unlikely to be repeated for some time and we certainly cannot bank on picking up points like that next season. 


The introduction of Roy Hodgson in February essentially saved our season. Under Roberto Di Matteo, the confidence we had shown in the Championship and at the beginning of the season in the Premier League seemed to have vanished, and was replaced by a nervousness and a habit of making it far too easy for teams to beat us.


However, after the arrival of Hodgson, we lost only two games in the remaining three months of the season and ended a number of poor records we had experienced against sides for up to 30 years. This helped us finish 11th place, something which not even the most optimistic of Albion fans would have predicted as we were losing 3-0 at Fulham at the beginning of January and throwing away a three-goal lead against relegated West Ham United under the leadership of caretaker manager Michael Appleton.


In terms of how we can improve for next season, it is very difficult to see how we can finish as high as 11th again really. All three of the promoted clubs appear willing to spend in order to stay in the Premier League, and it is fair to say that two of the weaker squads in Birmingham City and Blackpool were both relegated.


To try and build on our success last season, the main area we need to strengthen is defensively. We have already signed Gareth McAuley and Billy Jones from Ipswich Town and Preston North End respectively, but we also need to try and sign at least one goalkeeper. Scott Carson is a decent enough shot-stopper, but is far too hesitant when it comes to collecting crosses, something which cost us a fair few goals last season. Our former goalkeeper and current Manchester United second-choice Tomasz Kuszczak has been linked with a return, and he may be someone who we look to add to the squad.

Former Baggie Kuszczak could return to the Hawthorns.

We also need to add at least one striker to the squad, although it is unclear who we will be signing. Based on our transfer business last summer though, we may well not be particullary familliar with who to sign to play up front. However, I'm sure there won't be many complaints from Albion fans if our scouting department unearth another Peter Odemwingie, for example!

In terms of players leaving, we have already released squad players Gianni Zuiverloon, Adoulaye Meite and Giles Barnes. Marek Cech and Roman Bednar could also both leave, as could at least one other striker if we are able to strengthen in that area of the squad. With a goalkeeper being such a high priority, it has been suggested that at least one, if not both, of our goalkeepers could be sold over the summer. 

The key is to keep hold of our best players and build a solid squad around them. As long as the likes of Jonas Olsson, Youssouf Mulumbu, Chris Brunt, Graham Dorrans and Peter Odemwingie are on form next season, there is no reason why we cannot look to push on and look to consolidate in the Premier League.

If we are able to add another three or four top-quality players before the start of the season, we will be in a good position to consolidate and although we would be doing well to better our finish last season, with a manager as experienced as Roy Hodgson at the helm, you just never know.

Boing, Boing, Baggies!

One thing is always certain with West Bromich Albion - it's never boring.


Written by Tom Harper, who tweets @tomharper94 and writes at the Blog of an Albion Fan.