Having spent the last decade yo-yoing between The Championship and the Premier League, West Brom have returned to English football’s top flight once again following a successful campaign headed by young and exciting coach Roberto Di Matteo last term. The last time the club were in the Premier League they finished bottom of the table with just eight wins all season and former Chelsea player Di Matteo certainly has his work cut out if his side are to avoid the same fate this time around.
With four of the club’s five Premier League campaigns ending in relegation, The Baggies need to learn from their past mistakes if they are to avoid the drop this season. Their 2008-09 campaign saw them concede the most amount of goals in the division while managing to muster, on average, less than a goal per game. With Di Matteo admitting he is growing anxious over the club’s failure to attract new players to the club over the summer, West Brom could set to struggle again this season.
“We’ve been very busy for the last three months, not just lately,” admitted Di Matteo.
“It’s just frustrating that we haven’t been able to attract the players that we want. I think we do need another striker, but we need to strengthen in every department still – it’s not a matter of numbers, it’s a matter of quality.”
The Italian has added competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey with the £1.5m signing of Hull’s Boaz Myhill, who will contend against captain Scott Carson for a starting place. The signing of experienced Spain international Pablo Ibanez on a free transfer also looks an intelligent piece of business by Di Matteo. The club are also expected to complete the signing of Villa’s Nicky Shorey in the next 48 hours to help bolster the club’s defence. Albion’s frailty at the back two years ago, especially at corners and set-pieces, played a major part in the club’s undoing and is being addressed this time around. Di Matteo knows the importance of building a solid base for his team at the back and his side already look a lot stronger now the experienced names of Shorey and Ibanez have been added to the notoriously leaky defence.
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However the club still lack firepower up front and face going into the season with the unproven top flight trio of Ishmael Miller, Roman Bednar and Simon Cox. Midfielder Graham Dorrans will be a key player for Albion following his 13 goals and 19 assists in the league last term and Di Matteo will need him firing on all cylinders if his side are to make an impact. A £2.5m deal to land the explosive Cameroon winger Somen Tchoyi from Red Bull Salzburg also looks on the cards, while the club are also monitoring the situation with former striker Jason Roberts of Blackburn.
Players such as Steven Reid and Shorey will add the right blend of top-flight experience to a side that are relatively lacking in knowledge of the ins and outs of Premier League football. Under Di Matteo West Brom will continue to play the attractive style of football they are typically renowned for but which was ultimately their undoing under Tony Mowbray last time around. At times Di Matteo may find he has to shelve his attacking philosophy and be prepared for a scrap if he wants to survive this season. The Italian will also have to adjust quickly to life as a Premier League manager and the spotlight which will be on his every move. Should he do so, and with the help of a striker, then Di Matteo may yet be able to give West Brom fans something to cheer about this season.
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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery