This weekend’s trip to the Hawthorns presents the opportunity for the hosts to cement their place in the play-offs whilst the Black Cats will be chasing only their second win in the last 12. How are the opposition camp feeling? We spoke to Birmingham Live reporter Joe Chapman to find out…
You are currently 5th in the league, sum up West Brom’s season so far...
Generally a very positive one. There’ve been ups and downs like for every club in any Championship season, but largely Albion have been efficient. They’ve been defensively excellent for the most part and have passed 70 points for the first time since 2020 - with still four games to play. There are few complaints, really, with where Albion are, compared to where it was predicted they might end up.
Brandon Thomas-Asante is your top scorer with 12. What kind of player is he?
Brandon is a really selfless player. He’s a player who arrived from League 2 for a small amount of money and sometimes that is evident. He could’ve easily had 3 or 4 goals on Wednesday, rather than one, so his finishing can improve but his all round play is key to the way Albion attack and he’s a popular figure in the dressing room.
Mikey Johnston also looks like a real player. What have you made of him so far this season?
He’s produced the kind of mid-season impact you can only hope for, that he was recruited to produce. His level of finishing has been superb and he’s shown before that he isn’t a one trick pony on the left, either - he has so much ability on the ball and once his dribbling begins, he’s hard to stop. He’s been a hit.
Yann M’Vila, a Sunderland fan favourite, obviously signed for West Brom recently. Albeit in only a few appearances, what has he brought to your side?
Mixed so far. Carlos knows him from their time together at Olympiakos. He hadn’t played since May last year so he took a few weeks to get up and running. He applied himself well early on from the bench, although he rashly gave away a penalty at Stoke the other day and that cost Albion two points ultimately. He played 90 minutes on Wednesday and conducted himself impressively.
What are your thoughts on manager Carlos Corberan?
You’d struggle to find an Albion fan who has a grumble about Carlos. He’s a special coach and has transformed Albion’s fortunes no end since the end of Steve Bruce’s tenure. Albion are brave in playing out, defensively sound and carry an attacking threat. He’s improved practically every single player since he arrived and he’s a joy to deal with as a member of the press.
Away from the obvious Jack Clarke answer, which Sunderland players do you expect to cause the biggest problems to yourselves?
I’ve always really liked Patrick Roberts. Clarke is the obvious answer but Roberts I think sometimes goes under the radar. I’m also a fan of Pierre Ekwah in a deeper role.
With only a few games remaining, how do you see the remainder of the season panning out? Will you make play-offs?
With a nine point cushion, you’d have to be really disappointed if Albion didn’t get a playoff spot from here. Dealing with a playoff campaign - as Sunderland know only too well - emotionally is a different prospect entirely but that can wait! Albion should have enough. They play Sunderland and then Leicester, before Sheffield Wednesday and Preston. Few teams still have plenty to play for but the Baggies, I reckon, need a couple more points. Beat Sunderland and that’d do it.
Finally, score predictions?
Reckon Albion might win a tight one 1-0 but a draw wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest - especially considering Sunderland’s last couple of games!
