Don Goodman makes West Brom promotion admission after what he has seen
Don Goodman thought this season would be an excellent chance for West Brom to achieve automatic promotion from the Championship.
The Baggies’ 2-2 draw against Sheffield United (8 December) continued an impressive yet also concerning trend of stalemates for Carlos Corberan’s side.
Despite an impressive start to the campaign, the recent inability to win games has seen pressure grow on Corberan until that improves.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, Goodman admits he still fancies the Baggies to finish in the play-offs to get that shot at Premier League football again.
“I did honestly think that this season was an opportunity for the likes of a West Brom or Sunderland to kick on and challenge for a top two,” Goodman said.
“I don’t really see that X factor other than probably Leeds United and even they’re slipping up here and there. So, I did think it would be an opportunity, but the top two is looking quite a bit away.
“It looks like they are playing for a playoff place. Do I see them attaining a playoff place? Yes, is the honest answer. They really should.
“Looking at the league and the squad that they have, I would fancy them to get in the top six, not now the top two, but certainly the top six. Ultimately that then gives them a 25 per cent chance at the semi-final stage of getting to the Premier League, which of course is where everybody at West Brom wants to be.”
Play-offs the aim for West Brom
Given their incredible record at avoiding defeat, the playoffs would perhaps suit the Baggies more than the pressures of an automatic promotion push.
A chance to face a side over two legs with the record they have would put them in good stead but only if they can improve in an attacking sense.
Much of that will hinge on their ability to keep Josh Maja and if the Baggies opt to sell him, it would be a huge risk to their promotion chances.
In other West Brom news, a Sheffield United star could face a ban for an incident against the Baggies.
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