Steve Bruce wishes he could have this West Brom XI available vs Middlesbrough
Steve Bruce found life at The Hawthorns more difficult than many people anticipated last season after taking over as West Brom boss in February.
The veteran boss oversaw just six wins in his 17 games in charge as the Baggies fell to a 10th placed finish in the Championship, far below their expected promotion push after Valerien Ismael was dismissed.
But the club have acted quickly in the transfer window so far, with two big free transfer signings and that could ultimately be all Bruce needs to see this West Brom squad ready to compete for a place in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season.
Sam Johnstone has left the club after his contract expired, but David Button signed a new deal with the club and looks set to begin the season as the club’s number one between the sticks.
The defence is unlikely to see too many changes initially, with Bruce having plenty of experienced options in the squad and a good blend of height, physicality and an ability to play on the ball too.
Dara O’Shea could start the campaign as the first-choice right-back ahead of Darnell Furlong, with Bruce mooting him as a potential future captain at the club. On the left, Conor Townsend is the man who will nail down his spot as first-choice left-back for now.
In the middle, the boss showed a great affection for Semi Ajayi after coming in and even convinced him to sign a new contract with the club so he should continue as one half of the first-choice pairing as Bruce switches to a back-four.
Alongside him will be the experienced Kyle Bartley, who proved to be a key member of the side last season, and he should retain his place ahead of the likely departing Cedric Kipre and Matthew Clarke, whose future after a loan from Brighton last season is still unclear.
Captain Jake Livermore will continue in the side too, with a holding midfield role best suited to his limited mobility with plenty of energy and legs surrounding him in the middle.
Alex Mowatt had a difficult first campaign at the club but he has all the attributes to keep the ball and make West Brom a more dominant side in the division, and despite Jayson Molumby’s permanent arrival and Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s emergence it’s believed Bruce will edge with experience.
Alongside him is much needed goals from midfield, as former Reading man John Swift has joined the club and will be key to the way Bruce looks to set up his side going forward.
Another new man, Jed Wallace, is likely to try and make the right wing position his own after arriving on a free transfer from Millwall following a stellar campaign in which he managed six goals and 12 assists in the Championship.
Last season’s top goalscorer Karlan Grant will keep his place in the team too with Bruce a big fan, but he’s more likely to move back to the left wing initially.
That’s because £7m striker Daryl Dike should be fit and firing, ready to make a first appearance under Bruce after an injury-hit campaign after his January arrival saw him make just two substitute appearances before a hamstring problem ruled him out for the remainder.
As Bruce looks to be a more front-footed team, having these eleven players available to him on the opening day will go a long way to tell you how the season will go.
In other West Brom news, the club are keen on signing some free transfers up this summer according to a reliable journalist
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