Ahead of tonight’s visit of West Brom we caught up with Midlands football writer Joe Chapman…
So, WBA are sat 6th in the table with six wins, eight draws and two defeats. What's been the story of West Brom's season?
Lots of draws! They’ve had to reduce the wage bill in the summer and sold a number of first team players, bringing in new faces from home and abroad. The average age of the squad has come down but it still feels like a squad which is settling down. We’re waiting for the season to burst into life but things, clearly, are far from a disaster either.
What are your thoughts on manager Carlos Corberán?
Carlos celebrated his two year anniversary recently. Those two years have seen Albion propel themselves under Carlos from the bottom of the table to a playoff battle within 18 months. This year has begun in a pragmatic, disciplined fashion. Albion haven’t won as many as they’d have liked yet but are still very tough to beat. Carlos still maintains a favourable position with the bulk of the fanbase but there are a few who understandably have grown frustrated with their recent run of one win in ten
Our old friend Josh Maja is your top scorer with 10 goals in 16 games. He was young when he was at Sunderland, what kind of striker has he developed into?
He was unfortunate last year to have suffered two serious injuries and it really wrote off his whole first season at the club. Josh has well truly announced himself this year though, and has been integral to the way Carlos and Albion play. His hold up play, intelligence with the ball at his feet and ability to pick up positions in the box to finish have been first class. He’s one for 20 goals this season, and he’d be the first at Albion since the days of Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez. Albion have plenty to thank him for this season.
Other than him, who are some of your best players?
Tom Fellows remains a key player out wide. He’s got 6 assists this season, most recently on Saturday. Hopefully that’s him turning a corner after a dip in form lately. Karlan Grant has been excellent too since coming back from a loan at Cardiff. He has three goals this season and plays off Maja. Then you have Torbjorn Heggem, who plays in defence and has been a real find. He’s since been called up to play for Norway and has settled into English football seamlessly.
Which Sunderland players worry you the most?
You’d be daft to ignore Chris Rigg, but I have also taken a liking to Mundle and Isidor too this season. I’ve always appreciated Dan Neil, too. It’s a very exciting and predictably young team that the Sunderland hierarchy have been building.
What's your score prediction for the game?
I’ll hope for a 1-1 draw. Albion are weakened by the loss of Darnell Furlong to suspension but they’ve found ways to score on the road this season and I’d take another point here.
Obviously it's early but where do you reckon both sides will finish this season?
I expected both teams to be in the top six come the end of the season and I’ve seen nothing yet to suggest they won’t, or can’t. Whether Sunderland can keep up the pace for a top two place remains to be seen. Every chance this’ll be a playoff meeting in May!
