Rob Jarvis

Sat 25 July 2020 16:10, UK

Chris Brunt has claimed that West Brom must recruit sensibly in the transfer market to succeed in the Premier League after promotion.

The Baggies legend has left the Hawthorns after helping the club to their third promotion during his 13-year spell at the club.

Brunt compared the Baggies to the likes of Aston Villa, claiming their Midlands rivals have struggled despite spending large amounts – something Albion must learn from.

Brunt believes that West Brom should instead take inspiration from Sheffield United and their success this season after promotion.

“I think the hard work starts now for the football club if they want to be a Premier League team for many years to come like we did before,” he told the Express and Star.

“It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s difficult and recruitment is going to be a big part of it. I’m sure they have been busy working behind the scenes. But obviously not knowing what division you are going to be in until the last day doesn’t help either.

“I think if you look at the teams who went up last year, Norwich have come back down. Villa have struggled. But I think Sheffield United are the ones that have done really well.

“Teams that get promoted can take inspiration from them.”

Brunt is spot on. Villa are the perfect example for promoted clubs that spending huge amounts of money doesn’t guarantee anything in the top-flight.

Yes, one of our close rivals may survive in the end with it being in their own hands with one game to go, but the Baggies will want to be much more comfortable than that in the end.

Sheffield United have added fresh faces, but Chris Wilder has stuck with the majority of the same squad that earned promotion, and that is how Bilic should go next season.

In other West Brom news, many Albion fans have been saying the same thing about Johnstone after official tweet

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