The Local Lowdown: West Bromwich Albion

West Brom have always tended to be challengers for promotion any time they’ve slipped out of the top flight over the past 20 years. Why have the last two seasons, since relegation in 2021, been less productive?

A series of poor decisions, really, which stem from the ownership and have filtered down. The squad has had precious little investment in it, although they've made a number of strong free agent signings which has kept them competitive.

There've been two managerial appointments in that time – made by individuals no longer in the chief executive role – which simply haven't worked out and have set the club back, meaning they're in the Championship for a third straight year – it's the longest period they've spent at this level in 20 years and now, without parachute payments, the challenge is much greater. 

How do you assess the impact of head coach Carlos Corberán in his first year in the job?

In a word, brilliant. I don't think, in my humble opinion, a manager at this level has quite made a similar impact in the 12 months he's been at the club, especially when you consider the lack of money to spend on moulding the squad entirely to his liking.

He's worked with the resources available, transformed the performance levels of previously underperforming players, brought players back in from the cold and continued to squeeze the pips out of this group, who were in the bottom three when he arrived a year ago. Carlos's attention to detail is second to none and the supporters are loving his work currently.

Carlos Corberán took over at The Hawthorns in October last year after a short spell with Olympiacos, having previously managed Huddersfield in the Championship

The Baggies arrive at St Mary’s on the back of three straight victories. What’s clicked in recent weeks?

It's slowly come together after a beginning to the season which was best described as inconsistent. After losing captain Dara O'Shea, they've had to work on a new-look defence and have, finally, found something which works with the personnel at Corberán's disposal – they now more often than not play a 3-4-3 but are very flexible and have demonstrated that in recent weeks.

They don't concede goals – they've kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 – and currently have six or seven players performing at their highest individual levels during their time at the club. They seem to have maintained a decent level of competition for places, considering they have a host of key players missing through injury, too.

Which players are the key figures in this team?

John Swift is the club's top scorer, but they've been winning lately without him. He was in tremendous form prior to his injury before the last international break but others have picked up the goalscoring responsibility in his absence. The same goes for Josh Maja and Jeremy Sarmiento, summer signings who have had a stuttering start because of injuries.

At the moment, Alex Mowatt and Cédric Kipré have been revelations, Matt Phillips is playing his best football for a sustained period since he joined the club. Pretty much exactly the same can be said for Grady Diangana. 

How will Albion approach Saturday’s game, and how do you see it playing out?

It's an intriguing fixture on paper. Southampton were the side who I thought might go closest at the top before a ball was kicked, but Leicester have set some pace!

Saints seem to have settled down now. They play some really nice stuff, typical of Russell Martin, but that may even suit Albion, who are still looking to find their very best away form over a sustained period of time. I can see it being a score draw.