Thinking Football August 2016 | Page 26

West Brom Last Season Premier League: 14 th FA Cup: Third Round League Cup: Third Round 10 Top Scorer (all): Salomon Rondon ( ) Boing boing no more as West Brom prepare to venture upon their seventh consecutive Premier League season. They may have finally established themselves among the elite of English football, but they have failed to set pulses racing with their overly-cautious style of play. Tony Pulis may pride himself on his ability to organise and discipline a team, but a lack of ambition has riled a large section of Baggies fans in recent times. Pulis is a fan of deploying four centre backs, neglecting the use of full backs and making West Brom narrow and hard to beat. They may stay up, but it's not season ticket marketing material. The saga with Saido Berahino will continue to rumble on as his contract nears its final year, but it is drama on the pitch which is craved for in the Midlands. Who's in and who's out? What's their reality? Key Man: Ben Foster Saido Berahino remains for now. As things stand, it's the same Victor Anichebe and Stephan squad as last season. A tired and Sessegnon have been shown the defensively overloaded group of door, while QPR's winger Matt players. Although they may be a Phillips is the only signing of the relegation contender for others, summer so far. More business is Pulis knows how to get the points required for a squad lacking in required to stay up. But on this talent and creativity. occasion it may be a lot more close Young Star: Jonathan Leko Season expectations? for comfort than usual, with the A steady, comfortable mid-table checking of shoulders imminent. Marmite Man: James slot as per usual is expected, but is Fixtures to look out for McClean that enough anymore? Tony Pulis Their first seven games are all ones In never gets relegated, that's a fact they can, and need to take points of life. But fans want to see the from. Tottenham at home on October club progress and move forward. 15 Any sort of improvement in terms gun. Hull at the Hawthorns on of playing style, attacking mobility January and setting up not to lose would be sandwiched between a number of a breath of fresh Midlands air. tricky games. 3 Words: Defensive, lanky, unambitious 356 1500 1 94 17 Odds (Bet th is their first clash with a big 2 nd, their first of Title: 2017 , is ): / Relegation: Prediction: / th