Premier League Preview 2011-12: West Bromwich Albion

Best title odds: 8000/1 - Coral
Best odds on a Top 10 finish: 3/1 - SkyBet
Last season: 11th
Manager: Roy Hodgson

Good news:

Roy Hodgson is the master of squeezing the best out of mediocrity. It might be cruel to suggest that transforming a relegation-threatened side into a decent outfit is impressive, but to do so with Scott Carson in goal is miraculous. Thank God nobody is suggesting that.  The (former?) England keeper has now left for Bursaspor and been replaced by another (former?) international Ben Foster, who arrives on loan from Birmingham. It turns out that when Foster retired from England duty at 28-years-old, to ‘prolong his club career,’ he hadn’t meant in the Championship. Carson would like Mr Capello to be made aware that he is still available.

Bad news:

Being over-reliant on Peter Odemwingie just sounds very dangerous. He had a great first season in England with 15 league goals in 32 appearances. One of the big boys, like Arsenal, might turn his head; Wenger is reportedly interested although no firm bid has actually been made. Quelle surprise. There’s a danger that Baggies fans will look at Hodgson’s work since he arrived, and now assume they will mirror the success of his Fulham side a few years ago. He took the Cottagers to 7th after keeping them up against the odds; that’s a bit much to expect here.

Remember when:

Roy Hodgson was touted as a future England manager? It’s seems grossly unfair that a few bad months at Anfield have made that so much less likely. A fabulous CV has been bolstered again at the Hawthornes already.

Verdict:

After storming up the table after Roy’s arrival in February, a relegation dogfight simply isn’t on the menu in 2011-12. When you look at the squad list it’s hard to see how it gets better than mid-table, but this is a manager who specialises in getting greater than the sum of a team’s parts. Now re-united with Zoltan Gera, he’ll add some sizzle to the midfield. A good cup run will be a target for a side who may not have much to excite them in the league by next March.

Prediction: 11th