Don Goodman, a former Sunderland and Wolves striker, believes West Brom are ‘overachieving’ this season under Carlos Corberan.
The Baggies are presently sixth in the Championship and on a high after defeating Blackburn Rovers 4-1 over the weekend. A Midlands Derby against Wolves is scheduled for the end of the month, and the fans currently have a team with whom they can identify.
The top four in the Championship are Leicester City, Southampton, and Leeds United, all of which were relegated from the Premier League and get parachute payments. Ipswich Town, who were just promoted, are the only unexpected contenders, but they have made significant investments in their squad.
West Brom, who are 13 points off the automatics but have a five-point lead in the play-offs over seventh-placed Sunderland, have been coping with loans and free transfers and are currently surprise everyone, even Don Goodman.
Goodman appeared for West Brom more than 150 times in the 1980s, as well as periods with Wolves. He believes there are stronger teams in the division than West Brom, but praises Carlos Corberan and his Baggies group.
“There is no doubt that they (West Bromwich Albion) are overachieving,” Goodman told Genting.
“There is no way they are the fifth-best club in the league, and I mean that with the utmost respect.
“The results suggest they are because that is where they are in the league, but if I look at their performances, they are sturdy, resistant, difficult to beat, know how to win football games, and understand how to apply tactical instructions from the master tactician Carlos Corberan. “They are a very experienced group.”
“Watching them, they are not the league’s fifth-best squad. There are teams with better players behind West Bromwich Albion, but they are finding a way to be legitimate play-off candidates, and they will be.”
West Brom have had to be imaginative with moves, and they have already completed some transactions this month. Andi Weimann has joined The Hawthorns on a six-month loan from Bristol City, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership from his time as the Robins’ captain.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman was already at Ashton Gate after being loaned out in August, and his move to the West Country has been made permanent, easing any cash flow difficulties this month. Javon Malcolm returned to the fold after a loan spell at Cheltenham Town, but Modou Faal has gone out on loan again, this time to neighboring Walsall.
West Brom have a close-knit squad, and injuries have occasionally disrupted Corberan’s plans. A little luck will be needed to keep everyone fit, but they have already defied many people’s expectations right now.
Goodman noted, “The concern is the absence of money (given by ownership). It’s a major concern, like a dark cloud hanging over the football team. In the midst of such difficulty, Carlos Corberan and his teammates are doing an excellent job.”
“With no money, the only alternative in January will be loan signings, so they must be imaginative. They need more bodies to stay in the playoffs, but they’ve given themselves a great shot.
“Before a ball was kicked in August, I never imagined them in this situation.
West Brom, Sunderland, Hull, Coventry, Watford, and Middlesbrough will compete for fifth and sixth place, respectively. This leaves out a couple teams from the mix. Without disrespecting others, they are the teams I can see making a push at the conclusion of the season.”
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