Clinton Morrison delivers West Brom ‘top three’ verdict as promotion chances derailed by Birmingham loss
Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison believes Carlos Corberan possesses a squad at West Brom capable of climbing into the “top three” of the Championship table.
The Baggies have been in superb form since the Spaniard succeeded Steve Bruce in the Hawthorns dugout, and he was rewarded for his team’s fine form with a new contract until 2027. [Sky Sports, 8 February]
Despite this, West Brom fell to a disappointing 2-0 loss to Birmigham City at St Andrews, which now leaves them vulnerable to slipping ouside the promotion play-off places.
Speaking prior to the Championship clash, live on Sky Sports (10 February, 19:36pm), Morrison waxed lyrical about Corberan’s immediate impact in the West Midlands.
He said: “I’ve always said since he [Corberan] got the job and they started climbing the table that this squad of players should be higher up the table.
“I think they should be in the top three, but obviously, I don’t think Burnley and Sheffield United will get caught, but he has done a terrific job.
“And Hal [Robson-Kanu] mentioned it there, you don’t get linked with jobs like Leeds if you’re not doing a brilliant job. The squad of players is good, I like the football, and West Brom have been outstanding under him.”
Congested
Unfortunately, Corberan’s arrival at West Brom has probably come too late to claw down the gap to Burnley and Sheffield United, with the pair well clear of the pack at the moment.
The fight for the remaining four playoff spots is anybody’s to claim, with the likes of Middlesbrough, Luton and Blackburn all proving their credentials in recent weeks.
The shrewd transfer activity of West Brom in the January transfer window, however, may well have helped Corberan steal a lead on these other sides. Marc Albrighton may not be the exciting transfer many fans would have hoped for, but his experience could be vital in the latter stages of the season.
However tough the road to Premier League football gets in the near future, nothing is likely to faze the Englishman, and alongside Nathaniel Chalobah, represents a brilliant month’s business.
With Corberan at the wheel and his new signings on board, a top-three finish is by no means out of the equation.