This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Cauley Woodrow has been linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion, as per The Athletic, as the Baggies look for a more clinical striker option going into the second half of the season.

Woodrow has often played in a deeper number ten or false nine role at Barnsley, therefore it is not a direct comparison to the likes of Jordan Hugill, already in the squad, or Daryl Dike who has also been linked with West Brom having played under Valerien Ismael with Woodrow last season.

Barnsley have been comfortably the worst team in the Championship this season which has made it difficult for Woodrow to showcase his ability as he was able to last season.

With Callum Robinson and Karlan Grant in such fine form at the moment for the Baggies it would be very interesting to see them in rotation with another energetic player like Woodrow.

Here, we have gathered the thoughts of a selection of FLW writers to see whether they believe Woodrow is the right type of striker for West Brom to acquire in January...

Adam Jones

Cauley Woodrow is a reliable goalscorer and for that reason, he could be a shrewd addition with the quality of players that will be around him at Albion.

However, whether this is the right move to make in January remains to be seen after seeing him struggle with Barnsley this term.

He wouldn't exactly bring a winning mentality to The Hawthorns but the fact he's already accustomed to Valerien Ismael's system could mean he slots in more seamlessly than others would.

Scoring 12 league goals last term, he could be a decent player to have but it almost feels as though there would need to be another proven goalscorer coming in to give them the sufficient firepower needed to guide them to promotion.

Daryl Dike and Woodrow would be the dream pairing, especially in front of Alex Mowatt who has played with the duo before - but they probably wouldn't have the resources to make both deals happen.

Toby Wilding

This does feel like a rather interesting option for West Brom to consider here.

It does seem clear that when you consider their recent struggles in front of goal, the Baggies do need to add another striker to their ranks in the summer, if they are to have any chance of securing automatic promotion this season.

On the one hand, there does seem to be a risk on relying on Woodrow here, given his struggles for goals during the current campaign.

However, it is worth noting that West Brom manager Valerien Ismael was able to get plenty out of him for Barnsley last season, and you wonder if he might be able to do that again at The Hawthorns.

If he was to manage to do that, then you get the feeling that this could prove to be a deal that works well for all parties.

 

 

 

 

Chris Gallagher

He would be a decent signing for Albion.

Firstly, the natural concern is that he has only scored four goals this season, and, even in the previous campaign he got 13, which is by no means excellent.

So, you have to question whether he is the natural finisher that West Brom need and there would have to be doubts about that.

However, stepping up to play with the Baggies, who have better players than the Tykes, could be what he needs to become more prolific.

As well as that, he is someone that Ismael obviously knows, so if he has confidence in the forward then he should be backed.

Finally, January is a difficult month to do deals as you need someone who can make an instant impact.

With Woodrow, the risk is lessened because he knows the league and the boss, so he shouldn't need time to adapt.

So, you'd have to say he would be a decent addition, even if someone like Daryl Dike should be the main target if available.