Our prediction: 16th
Likely finish: 10th–20th
Transfer window so far: 6/10
Biggest question
Can Aune Heggebø take the next step and become a consistent Championship goalscorer?
Why I have West Brom finishing 16th
West Brom have strengthened with the arrivals of Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Barney Stewart and Matt Ingram, while Jed Wallace, Daryl Dike, Karlan Grant, Josh Griffiths and Joe Wildsmith have all departed.
It has been a respectable transfer window, but not one that significantly improves the squad or turns the Baggies into genuine play-off contenders. They have lost experience and attacking depth, while the new arrivals offer promise rather than guarantees.
Much of West Brom’s season could therefore depend on players who were already at the club—none more so than Aune Heggebø.
The Norwegian striker enters his second Championship campaign after an encouraging first season. Expectations are now much higher. This is the year he must develop from an exciting prospect into a reliable goalscorer capable of leading the attack. If he does, West Brom could comfortably outperform my prediction. If he does not, they may struggle to score enough goals.
AdvertisementStrengths
West Brom should once again be one of the better organised teams in the Championship. They have a solid defensive structure, rarely allow opponents many clear-cut opportunities and are difficult to break down over 90 minutes.
Heggebø gives them a striker who works tirelessly, stretches defences with intelligent runs and continues to improve. Jimmy-Jay Morgan also adds pace, directness and energy, providing another exciting attacking option with plenty of long-term potential.
Weaknesses
Creativity remains my biggest concern. There are too few players capable of producing moments of individual brilliance or unlocking compact defences with a decisive pass.
West Brom are also heavily reliant on Heggebø continuing his development. If he fails to become the prolific striker the club hopes for, too many matches could end with the Baggies creating plenty but converting too little.
Key player
Aune Heggebø
This could be the season in which Heggebø establishes himself among the Championship’s leading strikers. If he reaches 15 to 20 league goals, West Brom could finish well above my predicted position and even push towards the play-off places.
Most exciting signing
Jimmy-Jay Morgan
Morgan is an exciting young forward with enormous potential. He may need time to adapt, but his pace, movement and technical ability give him every chance of becoming an important player for West Brom over the coming seasons.
What they still need
West Brom would benefit from signing a creative playmaker, greater quality out wide and an experienced striker capable of sharing the goalscoring burden with Heggebø.
Verdict
I expect West Brom to be a solid but ultimately unspectacular Championship side. They are too well organised to become serious relegation candidates, but I also believe they lack the attacking quality required to sustain a genuine play-off challenge.
For that reason, I have West Bromwich Albion finishing 16th, although an outstanding season from Aune Heggebø could easily lift them several places higher.