West Brom endured a funny season back in the Championship in 2018/19, reaching the play-off semi-finals, but never really looking like the strong bet for automatic promotion many felt they would.
Darren Moore oversaw the bulk of the season, with his side slick in attack but struggling in defence. Jimmy Shan replaced him at the helm in March and guided the Baggies into the play-offs, but not many were backing the side when they were pitched up against Aston Villa in the semi-finals.
It doesn’t take a world class pundit to tell you that West Brom’s problems stemmed from their inability to defend, with the final table proof of that – 87 goals were scored, which was bettered by only Norwich City, but Albion conceded a huge 62 goals.
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That figure was more than any other side in the top-half of the Championship table, and in truth, without their blistering attack, the Baggies would have been nowhere near the Championship’s top-six.
So, with no permanent manager in place, it’ll be even more concerning for Baggies fans to see the Express and Star linking Jay Rodriguez with a move back to the Premier League.
Rodriguez scored 22 goals last season and formed a stunning strike partnership with Dwight Gayle, who struck on 24 occasions whilst on loan from Newcastle United.
We’ve already been told that Gayle is going to be too expensive for West Brom again, whilst reports linking Rodriguez with a move away from the Hawthorns have come early and there seems a real possibility he could be on the move before August.
If that’s the case, the loss of 46 goals is going to seriously hurt West Brom and leave them in a testing position heading into the new season.
The task facing the new manager is huge anyway. He will be inheriting a squad that’s ageing and a club that’s tightening their belt ahead of a second season in the Championship.
Losing not one, but two, 20 goal strikers is a massive blow and will mean it is difficult to achieve what Moore and Shan did last season. Most clubs struggle to replace goals, and the amount West Brom look set to lose is going to be a huge concern.
Both coaches benefitted from the goals Gayle and Rodriguez scored and couldn't get Albion over the line. So what chance can you give the new coach if both depart?