Aune Heggebo admission shows West Brom may already have answer to key summer question

West Bromwich Albion have plenty to address before the new Championship season begins.

The Baggies survived in the final weeks of last term after spending much of the campaign performing well below expectations.

That difficult year inevitably raises questions about which areas James Morrison must strengthen this summer.

However, Albion should be careful not to mistake an inconsistent attacking structure for a problem with their leading striker.

Aune Heggebo still finished as the club’s top scorer with 10 goals during his first season in English football.

The Baggied have already recruited Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan, but Heggebo cannot be counted out just yet, with his latest admission suggesting that last season should be viewed as a platform to build upon.

10 goals should only be the beginning for Aune Heggebo

Heggebo has openly acknowledged that neither he nor his teammates delivered at the required level for much of last season.

Speaking to the Express & Star, the Norwegian described the campaign as one filled with “ups and downs”, while admitting that he did not perform as well as he believed he should have.

"It seems like so much more than a year almost because it's been so many different situations. It's been up and down and obviously it was a tough season but the year as a whole has been an experience that I'm so grateful to have had," he said.

"To get the chance to play abroad for the first time when you come from Norway and played there your whole life and then standing in those situations where you're not delivering as you feel like you should be.

"I think all the players and even myself would say last season wasn't where it should be from so I'd say as a whole team, me included."

The striker would finish the term playing in a front two, with the formation change from Morrison getting the best out of the Norwegian, alongside Josh Maja and Daryl Dike.

West Brom News previously analysed how his first season was not exactly an outright success, but 10 goals amid all the chaos does indicate that there is something worthwhile to develop.

Why Heggebo should still be the main man at West Brom

West Brom did need to depth and competition in Stewart and Morgan, but replacing Heggebo should not be the priority.

Morrison’s late run showed how quickly performances improved once Albion became more organised and confident following the switch in formation.

Heggebo is a versatile forward, one capable of stretching defences and linking with teammates - an aspect of his game that only improved with a striker alongside him.

As can be taken from his comments, he is well aware of the standards expected at The Hawthorns.

And after a hit and miss first season away from home, he appears more than ready to take on the challenge of firing West Brom back up the standings.

Albion have made moves in the window so far, but their towering forward is a man to build around this summer, not replace.