Paul Robinson makes West Brom playoff prediction v Southampton
Paul Robinson is backing former side West Brom to “edge” out playoff semi-final opponents Southampton.
The Baggies will face the Saints in the first leg of their playoff semi-final clash at The Hawthorns on 12 May before visiting St. Mary’s in the decisive fixture on 17 May.
Southampton finished ahead of Carlos Corberan’s outfit in the Championship table this season but Robinson believes his old team have what it takes to win.
Speaking to the Express and Star (11 May), he said: “I think the experience West Brom have will help, it always does. There are leaders there and the squad hasn’t changed, they’ve dealt with the season together, not many new January faces – apart from Mikey Johnston who has been fantastic, and Tom Fellows coming in [from the academy] too, who adds something different.
“I think that togetherness will see West Brom through. There will be more pressure on Southampton, how they play, their players, they are favourites.
“It’s an intriguing tie and I believe West Brom will nick it, they will be mentally stronger with their togetherness as a group. If they can nullify Southampton’s qualities they can edge it. It’s about being patient with the counter-attack.”
Can West Brom beat Southampton and reach the playoff final?
Southampton may have finished fourth in the Championship this term but, make no mistake, the Saints are an excellent side who could have secured automatic promotion in a different season.
Russell Martin’s men racked up an impressive 87 points but still failed to finish in the top two – or even top three – with Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Leeds United all breaking the 90-point barrier in the same campaign.
The Saints’ points haul puts them 12 points clear of Corberan’s side despite sitting just one place above them – the same gap as between relegated Birmingham City and 11th-placed Bristol City, 11 places apart.
However, the two teams posted identical league form as the regular season drew to a close, with a win either side of a three-game losing streak.
And playoff games rarely conform to the expected – far more significant upsets have occurred in this competition than the Baggies reaching Wembley at Southampton’s expense.
Corberan and the West Brom faithful will hope that another upset is on the cards this year.
In other West Brom news, a young star has signed a contract at the Hawthorns.
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