2007-08: Where It Ended
?Back where we belong?. These are the words that adorn the home page of West Bromwich Albion?s website, after they reached the ?Promised Land? thanks to winning the Championship last season. Prior to the 2007-08 season everyone expected the Baggies to set the division alight and run away from the other contenders. However, this simply wasn?t the case.
At times throughout the season it appeared as though the stylish play of Albion would see them reach that next level and leave the competition behind, but a good result was often followed up by a bad result. They just couldn?t really maintain any kind of consistency and thankfully for West Brom, nor could the rest of the league. Stoke City and Bristol City were the main culprits: they reached the summit of the division and then seemed to hit the proverbial wall.
Despite the Baggies failing to string a number of impressive results together they all but sealed promotion with one game to go when they drew 1-1 with Southampton, giving them a three point lead over their rivals and a far superior goal difference. Albion then confirmed their place in the Premiership by beating QPR on the final day of the season, beating the London outfit 2-0, thus claiming a spot in the Premier League and finishing as champions, lifting their first trophy in forty years.
In addition to Albion?s fine league season, they also had very impressive cup run which would have exceeded the expectations of the club and fans alike. Sadly, for the West Brom faithful they fell short in the semi-final against Portsmouth, even though they played the far superior football. Albion were plagued by their usual downfall of not being able to take their chances.
Summer Activity
In the past the Baggies could easily have been accused of not giving everything in the off-season towards staying in the Premiership. This time round it seems to be a very different story, having spent around £13.5 million on new signings. Obviously, none of that matters if these expensive signings aren?t of a high standard but so far West Brom manager, Tony Mowbray, appears to have been very shrewd in the transfer market.
Knowing that Albion suffered from some serious defensive frailties last season, Mowbray immediately set about trying to bolster the back line. Something that especially needed to be done as star centre back Curtis Davies completed his move to Aston Villa, after having spent the season on loan at the Birmingham club.
One impressive signing is that of Gianni Zuiverloon, the Dutch Under-21 international who was named in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship ?Team of the Tournament?. Zuiverloon is a competent right back who is not afraid of getting forward in order to support the midfielders and attackers, he had gained a lot of attention from clubs around Europe after his performance in the aforementioned tournament but he decided on plying his trade at The Hawthorns because he likes the style of football that Albion play.
On the other side of the back four Mowbray has signed Slovakian international Marek ?ech from F.C. Porto, therefore he will have invaluable Champions League experience for the Portuguese outfit. Primarily playing as an attacking left wing back he, like Zuiverloon, will get forward at every opportunity.
More recently, the Baggies have obtained the man that they have been after for most of the summer, Abdoulaye Méité. One of the positives of such a transfer is that Méité has been playing at Premiership level for the last two seasons, as well as that, he was involved in a relegation tussle last season for Bolton Wanderers, therefore, he is more than aware of what it takes to battle and stay in the Premiership.
Behind the new defenders will be new goalkeeper, bought from Liverpool on a four-year deal, Scott Carson. While the front line has been helped by the signing of Luke Moore from West Midlands rivals, Aston Villa.
With new arrivals come departures, two key losses for Albion will be that of Kevin Phillips who bagged them 22 league goals last season en route to promotion, however there were always question marks as to whether he could still provide goals in the top division. Another loss that will seriously hurt the team is that of Zoltan Gera who has been one of the best and most influential players at The Hawthorns for the last few years.
Analysis & Prognosis
It is clear that Albion have tried to rectify some of their problems, however, despite the array of defensive signings they still appear to be very susceptible at the back. With the likes of Zuiverloon and ?ech attacking when there is an opportunity, and sometimes when there isn?t, then you will often find West Brom?s defensive line stretched.
On top of that Méité is often prone to some stupid mistakes and at this kind of level mistakes will be punished on a consistent basis. The one shining light at the back is Scott Carson, no doubt he will have to face plenty of shots in the coming season but it would be fair to say that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership. Albion will be relying on him an awful lot to keep them in games and one would expect that more often than not Carson has the shot stopping capabilities to do just that.
Another serious problem is that they have failed to bring in a replacement for Zoltan Gera who would have given everything on the pitch for the club, so replacing a player of that nature is never easy. What is even worse for the Baggies in this situation is that Gera has jumped ship to fellow relegation candidates, Fulham, already giving the West London club an edge over them. With Gera gone, a lot of responsibility will rest on the shoulders of the club?s captain, Jonathan Greening, who will battle for every point and is capable of making a pass with amazing accuracy.
Up front, Luke Moore will more than likely cause opposition defences problems due to his outstanding pace that will trouble any defenders who are even slightly flat-footed. As well as his pace, many believe that he has it in him to find the net more often than he does, however, to date he hasn?t really fulfilled the promise of his youth days at Aston Villa.
In conclusion, one would expect that West Brom will struggle in the upcoming campaign as they still have some major weaknesses despite being busy in the transfer market. Major weaknesses that will probably see them relegated from the Premier League on yet another occasion, nevertheless, the Baggies will no doubt stay in touch with their adversaries and will push for survival all the way until the end of the 38th game of the season. Also, if Mowbray adopts the 4-5-1 formation he utilised in their last friendly against Mallorca then there is little hope, but he did change to 4-4-2 at half time, which brought with it better play and an equalising goal. 4-5-1 has been Albion?s downfall in the past, particularly under Bryan Robson, you have to hope that Mowbray has learnt from past mistakes
Coach: Tony Mowbray
Stadium: The Hawthorns (27,877)
2007/08 Position: 1st (in the Championship)
2007/08 Record: P-46 W-23 D-12 L-11 GF-88 GA-55 Pts-81
Players In: Luke Moore (Aston Villa), Kim Do-Heon (Seongnam Ilhwa Shunma), Gianni Zuiverloon (SC Heerenveen), Graham Dorrans (Livingston FC), Roman Bednar (Hearts), Marek ?ech (FC Porto), Scott Carson (Liverpool), Abdoulaye Méité (Bolton Wanderers)
Players Out: Luke Steele (Barnsley), Zoltan Gera (Fulham), Martin Albrechtsen (Derby County), Curtis Davies (Aston Villa), Kevin Phillips (Birmingham City), Stefan Morrison (Swansea City), Luke Daniels (Shrewsbury Town)
Possible Line-Up: Carson ? Zuiverloon, Barnett, Méité, ?ech ? Morrison, Greening, Koren, Kim ? Bednar, Moore
Transfer Clockwatch
Guzan blazing new path
Mowbray Denies Meite Bid
Mowbray Denies Meite Bid
Boro To Sign Gera?
Baggies stopper waits on offer