With the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season less than two weeks away, Premier League correspondent Richard Jolly provides his previews for each club. Here he looks at West Bromwich Albion.
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West Brom had a very Tony Pulis season last year. For the eighth consecutive campaign, he finished between 11th and 14th. The Welshman is a paragon of consistency, but it did not please everyone.
Albion had the lowest share of possession in the division and only Aston Villa scored fewer goals.
Reliability came at the expense of excitement. The highlights were wins over Arsenal and Manchester United. Otherwise it was a drab campaign, though one Aston Villa and Newcastle United must have envied.
So will 2016/17 be any different? Probably not. Pulis’s methods are set in stone and, within limited parameters, they are successful.
Once again, Albion have been slow starters in the transfer market, though, as with last year, that may lead to several late deals.
Again, much depends on whether the coveted Saido Berahino, who almost left last summer, fell out with chairman Jeremy Peace and was a fringe player for much of the season, stays, stars and scores.
If not, Salomon Rondon assumes a still greater importance in attack.
Rickie Lambert, whose debut year at the Hawthorns yielded a solitary league goal, has to contribute more, but the emphasis will again be on solidity and being hard to break down. Troubling opponents is not the top priority.
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Key Man: Salomon Rondon
Nine goals may seem an unexceptional tally for a club record buy, but it represented a fine effort for a club who create few chances and from a player in his first season in England. Albion may need more this year, though.
Pivotal Signing: Matt Phillips
A long-term target for Pulis, who finally landed the speedy wide man from QPR for £5.5 million (Dh26.6m). Industrious wingers, like James McClean, can become pivotal for the Welshman, but other flair players, like Callum McManaman and Stephane Sessegnon, have found themselves marginalised.
Point to Prove: James Chester
Terrific for Wales in Euro 2016 but limited to nine league starts last season when he ranked at the back of the queue for central-defensive places. Deserves more of a chance now.
Crucial Factor: Getting home wins early
Albion’s last five games at the Hawthorns are Arsenal, Southampton, Liverpool, Leicester City and Chelsea. Pulis always aims to get to 40 points early. That seems particularly important now.
Predicted finish: 14th
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