Football Season Guide

Premier League

England

Premier League

2014/2015

West Bromwich Albion

In

Craig Gardner (mid)(Sunderland), Joleon Lescott (def)(Man City), Chris Baird (def)(Burnley), Sebastien Pocognoli (def)(Hannover), Brown Ideye (att)(Dynamo Kiev), Andre Wisdom (def)(Liverpool - Loan)

Out

Billy Jones (def)(Sunderland), Zoltan Gera (mid)(Released), Diego Lugano (def)(Released), Liam Ridgewell (def)(Released), Steven Reid (def)(Burnley)

West Bromwich Albion dropped from eighth in the table in 2013/14 to a disappointing sixteenth last season. After a slow start Steve Clarke was surprisingly sacked and the club eventually appointed Pepe Mel to the top job. The Spaniard succeeded in keeping the Baggies in the top flight, but did so very unconvincingly. Only goal difference ensured they were safe ahead of the final round of games. Mel departed the club following the final game of the season and in the middle of June, Alan Irvine was named as his replacement on a 12 month rolling contract. Irvine has no managerial experience at this level, but does seem to be a very well respected coach and all-round nice guy. He has been pretty busy in the transfer market, with plenty of comings and goings in the last two months. Joleon Lescott has joined on a free transfer from champions Manchester City and should add some stability and experience to the heart of the defence. Andre Wisdom has also signed on a one year loan deal from Liverpool. Diego Lugano, Steven Reid, Zoltan Gera and Liam Ridgewell have all departed.

Target

Irvine has a big rebuilding job on his hands. The aim is to quickly move on from last season's various disasters - prior to that they had been on the up for three or four seasons. The club will be hoping for a mid-table finish.