Hal Robson-Kanu shares ‘huge’ West Brom v Southampton verdict ahead of Championship play-offs
Former West Brom striker Hal Robson-Kanu has previewed his old club’s “huge” Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Southampton at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
In a post on X on 10 May, the Welshman went on to praise the “hard work and talent” of Carlos Corberan’s side.
Despite a tricky late-season run of form, Albion finished the regular campaign on a high with a victory over Preston North End, securing fifth place in the Championship on the last day to set up a two-legged tie with Southampton.
Opta’s analytical supercomputer rates a 44.5% chance of reaching the final for slight underdogs Albion, to Saints’ 55.5% – the return leg at St. Mary’s rolls around next Friday (17 May).
Robson-Kanu said: “[Sunday] is a huge day for West Brom. Big games like this bring back fond memories of my time at The Hawthorns.
“The team will be feeling a healthy dose of pre-match nerves, but those nerves are well-earned – reaching this stage is a testament to hard work and talent.”
West Brom must rediscover form
West Brom fans a few weeks ago will have felt as if the final day would be a preparation exercise for the play-offs, and to an extent it would have been, but a job still had to be done.
The Baggies have to tap into that 3-0 finale win over Preston and maintain their reliable defensive performances, against a Southampton side with talent all over the pitch.
Going forward will be just as important as Corberan seeks the most effective way to create chances against Saints – it’ll be interesting to see how he shapes up in attack.
With Brandon Thomas-Asante – who has hit double figures this term – passing up important chances against Preston, there has been talk of wide man Jed Wallace potentially being utilised directly through the middle.
The back line have defined West Brom’s season, however, with Darnell Furlong, Cedric Kipre, Kyle Bartley and Conor Townsend likely to once again start as a four.
In other West Brom news, a young star has signed a contract at The Hawthorns.
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