Will Bruce’s Baggies battle for the top two? Season preview: West Bromwich Albion

After a disappointing last campaign in the Championship, West Bromwich Albion return to action under Steve Bruce looking to get back to the Premier League at the second attempt.

The Baggies finished 10th last season under the former Newcastle United boss, after he replaced Valerien Ismael in February, with the Frenchman sacked after winning just 12 of his 31 games in charge of the club.

However, there is more room for optimism amongst supporters with three new arrivals so far in this summer transfer window.

John Swift joined the club on a free transfer after the expiry of his contract at Reading and looks set to be the man to add the creative spark into the side from the number 10 position. Swift tallied up 11 goals and 13 assists at The Royals last season and has already settled into life at his new club well with two goals in pre-season against Leyton Orient and Hertha Berlin.

Bruce also managed to bring in hugely experienced Championship winger Jed Wallace through the door following the expiry of his contract at Millwall. Wallace has played 229 games at the Championship level scoring 37 goals and registering 40 assists. Like Swift, he’s been making his presence known in pre-season by registering three assists against Crewe Alexandra, Northampton Town and Hertha Berlin.

Finally, Albion managed to secure the permanent signing of fan-favourite Okay Yokuslu on a three-year deal, following the expiration of his contract at La Liga side Celta Vigo.

The midfielder played 16 times for the club in the 2020/21 Premier League season under Sam Allardyce and played a pivotal role in improving the midfield, despite their relegation.

Yokuslu is also an established international player and has represented his country Turkey 39 times, so it will be intriguing to see if his quality will show in the rough and tumble that the Championship brings.

We asked Connor Ashfield from West Brom Fan TV what he expects from the Baggies to deliver over the next nine months.

He said: “I think the window has been brilliant and we’ve brought in some really solid signings, the likes of Swift and Wallace on free transfers and also the return of Yokuslu is great business by the club, particularly because the midfield was an area we needed to strengthen.

“I think pre-season is hard to judge players but in the last game against Hertha Berlin the likes of Swift, Wallace Dike and Diangana all looked great.

“I think with the squad we have, we should definitely be aiming to get promoted, I do genuinely believe it will happen this season regardless of being in the top two or the play-offs.”

Connor also told us who he thinks will shine in a West Brom shirt this season.

He added: “I think Swift, Wallace and Yokuslu will be absolutely brilliant in midfield for us, and I’m hoping Diangana can get back to his best now he’s playing on the left flank.

“With the creativity we have I reckon Dike and Grant will score a lot of goals and hopefully it will get us over the line come the end of the season.”

West Bromwich Albion open their EFL Championship account away to Middlesborough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday 30th July (KO 5:30 pm)

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