Birmingham City cult figure Troy Deeney not having possible new proposal that could impact West Brom
West Brom have started the season brilliantly under Ryan Mason, with the club sitting second in the Championship.
West Brom’s 1-0 over Stoke, who were top of the table at the time, has outlined their promotion credentials.
West Brom last played Premier League football in 2020/21, with the Baggies only finishing in the playoff places once since then.
However, a new proposal that the EFL is considering could improve West Brom’s chances of achieving a long-awaited promotion to the top flight of English football.
EFL’s proposal to expand the playoffs frustrates Troy Deeney
The EFL are considering expanding the Championship playoffs down to eighth place, adopting a similar approach to the National League.
- The fifth-placed side would play the eighth-placed team, with the sixth and seventh-placed teams matching up against each other.
- The teams finishing fifth and sixth would play the home leg second
- The winners of that phase would then come up against third and fourth, with that stage of the playoffs remaining the same.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 12 September, Deeney was critical of the plan and claimed that no change is needed to the original format.
He said: “The playoffs are perfect for what it is.
“I think we get to this point where people try and fill dead spaces because there is this nice little gap of eight, nine days between the semi-finals and the final.
“They’re just trying to maximise money, but it’s been perfect; in my opinion, the playoff final is the best game in football.
“We’ve had so many iconic playoff moments in the playoffs, so why mess about with it?”
Troy Deeney provided the most iconic moment in playoff history, and his last minute goal against Leicester in the 2013 semi-final will always be remembered in Championship folklore.
On current form, West Brom are likely to finish in the top six, with Mason’s attractive brand of football causing trouble for all of their early-season opponents.
| Season | West Brom’s final positions |
| 2021/22 | 10th |
| 2022/23 | 9th |
| 2023/24 | 5th |
| 2024/25 | 9th |
West Brom’s smart recruitment in the transfer window has left fans excited with what’s to come, and defensively, they boast one of the best centre-back partnerships in the league.
Nat Phillips and Chris Mepham are key for West Brom’s promotion push
Both players have a brilliant championship pedigree, and have even enjoyed Premier League football in their careers.
Mepham joined West Brom from Bournemouth, but was on loan at Sunderland, who he helped win the playoffs.
Phillips joined from Liverpool and was on loan at Derby, ensuring that they achieved their pre-season goal of avoiding relegation.
Having played together whilst at Bournemouth in 2022, West Brom have one of the most impressive defences in the league, as Mason looks to history in his first permanent managerial role.
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