Arsenal, Bournemouth, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Everton, Hull City, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, Watford
Last season
Typically solid if unspectacular from a Tony Pulis team, with the Baggies now casting away the shackles of their 'boing boing' stereotype for a more neatly fitting mid-table mediocrity tag. I'm honestly not sure which one is worse from a fan's perspective!
That being said, there can be no doubt that West Brom were difficult to beat at The Hawthorns, ensuring a safe 14th place finish, despite continuous speculation surrounding the future of Saido Berahino.
Typically solid if unspectacular from a Tony Pulis team, with the Baggies now casting away the shackles of their 'boing boing' stereotype for a more neatly fitting mid-table mediocrity tag. I'm honestly not sure which one is worse from a fan's perspective!
That being said, there can be no doubt that West Brom were difficult to beat at The Hawthorns, ensuring a safe 14th place finish, despite continuous speculation surrounding the future of Saido Berahino.
Backroom setup
Unsurprisingly, Tony Pulis has been retained as manager, and if his record is anything to go by, that practically guarantees Premier League survival. No other significant changes have been made behind the scenes, meaning that the Baggies can enter into the season in some level of stability.
Unsurprisingly, Tony Pulis has been retained as manager, and if his record is anything to go by, that practically guarantees Premier League survival. No other significant changes have been made behind the scenes, meaning that the Baggies can enter into the season in some level of stability.
Pre-season
Unlike many of their closest rivals, West Brom have opted for a fairly challenging run of pre-season matches, starting with a game against French champions Paris Saint Germain. While they may have been on the end of a 2-1 defeat, it was by no means embarrassing, and Pulis will take heart from the performance.
Two 2-1 wins then swiftly followed, over opponents of varying quality. Firstly, a brace from Berahino saw Kidderminster Harriers downed, before a more impressive win over Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem, with Rondon and McManaman on the scoresheet. However, this form could not continue, with a pair of disappointing results over teams in the lower leagues. First came a 0-0 draw with Plymouth, before a 2-1 reverse at Torquay United dented any momentum coming into the season.
Unlike many of their closest rivals, West Brom have opted for a fairly challenging run of pre-season matches, starting with a game against French champions Paris Saint Germain. While they may have been on the end of a 2-1 defeat, it was by no means embarrassing, and Pulis will take heart from the performance.
Two 2-1 wins then swiftly followed, over opponents of varying quality. Firstly, a brace from Berahino saw Kidderminster Harriers downed, before a more impressive win over Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem, with Rondon and McManaman on the scoresheet. However, this form could not continue, with a pair of disappointing results over teams in the lower leagues. First came a 0-0 draw with Plymouth, before a 2-1 reverse at Torquay United dented any momentum coming into the season.
Squad and signings
It's almost business as usual in the Midlands, with the squad largely the same as last year. However, much discussion has been had about the future of young striker Berahino, while the club also released ex-first teamers Stephane Sessegnon, Victor Anichebe and Anders Lindegaard to remove some of the wage strain.
There's not been much action inward either. The Baggies only have the signing of QPR winger Matt Phillips for £5.5m to show for their actions, and in all honesty, they've barely been linked with anyone else for the remainder of the window. Can the team that kept them up last year do the same again this term?
It's almost business as usual in the Midlands, with the squad largely the same as last year. However, much discussion has been had about the future of young striker Berahino, while the club also released ex-first teamers Stephane Sessegnon, Victor Anichebe and Anders Lindegaard to remove some of the wage strain.
There's not been much action inward either. The Baggies only have the signing of QPR winger Matt Phillips for £5.5m to show for their actions, and in all honesty, they've barely been linked with anyone else for the remainder of the window. Can the team that kept them up last year do the same again this term?
Tactics
It's Tony Pulis, so you know what's coming, and it isn't going to be sparkling football. Expect more long balls to Salomon Rondon's head or chest, as well as physical play in both the centre of midfield and defence to make them a difficult side to beat at home.
It's Tony Pulis, so you know what's coming, and it isn't going to be sparkling football. Expect more long balls to Salomon Rondon's head or chest, as well as physical play in both the centre of midfield and defence to make them a difficult side to beat at home.
Predictions
He'll keep them up. It's just what he does. It's the same team, so I'm going to go with the same placing as last year. With the likes of Southampton, West Ham and Leicester all sparking moves up the table, when will a lower mid-table finish get boring for the Baggies fans, I wonder?
Final position: 14th
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