We are still only three games into a new era at West Bromwich Albion. But, with two wins out of three, the building blocks of the Carlos Corberan kingdom are already being laid down, the rubble of Steve Bruce’s decaying dynasty swept away.
The Baggies, during successive 1-0 wins over Blackpool and QPR, look far more organised and well-drilled out of possession, the Spaniard’s expert game-management already coming to the fore. They have kept two clean sheets in a row for only the second time all season. What’s more, West Brom have also won as many games since Corberan’s arrival in late-October as they did in 17 under his beleaguered predecessor.
“His tactical knowledge is absolutely different class,” long-serving defender Kyle Bartley tells Birmingham World. “It’s something like I’ve never seen in my career. Him and his staff have been absolutely fantastic since he came in.”
This, however, is no time for complacency. West Brom are still mired in the Championship’s relegation zone, and the impact of ‘new manager bounce’ cannot be discounted. The way things quickly unravelled under Valerien Ismael is a warning against getting too carried away, too soon.
But, with the January transfer window looming, West Brom have the ideal opportunity to build on Corberan’s early success with some much-needed additions. Albion are reportedly in talks to borrow up to £25 million in what would be a major boost to the Spaniard’s winter budget (Daily Mail). But what could that money be spent on?
Davie Selke – Hertha Berlin
£7m USA international Daryl Dike was supposed to be the answer to West Brom’s goalscoring problems when he arrived from Orlando City. Best laid plans, and all that. Injuries have restricted the powerhouse number nine to just 12 minutes of football all season, however, and the Baggies have been crying out for a physical presence in his absence.
Selke, at 6ft 5ins, could provide exactly that. Once the bright young hope of German football, the Hertha Berlin frontman has reportedly handed in a transfer request and could see his contract torn up in January. West Brom, per Sky Sports, enquired about Selke on deadline day a couple of months ago.
As such, his availability, if the rumours are true, is unlikely to go unnoticed.
Danny Ward – Huddersfield Town
Failing Selke, could Corberan turn to a man he knows like the back of his hand? With 14 goals in 2021/22, Bradford-born Ward enjoyed his best ever season under the former Leeds United assistant last term. Is he the ideal foil for West Brom’s array of talented wingers and attacking midfielders?
One suspects Jed Wallace, for instance, would relish providing silver service for a striker who thrives on crosses.
Cody Drameh – Leeds United
The one-time Fulham youngster won Cardiff City’s Player of the Year award last term. A fact that looks nothing short of remarkable when you consider he spent just half of 2021/22 in South Wales. He will undoubtedly be frustrated, then, to find himself once again playing reserve-team football at Leeds; the club’s third-choice right-back behind Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen.
If Corberan plans to make use of his West Yorkshire connections, Drameh should be his first port of call. West Brom lack high-quality competition for Darnell Furlong on the flank, and 20-year-old Drameh would arrive with a point to prove while having already established himself as a game-changing talent at Championship level.
Matty Pearson – Huddersfield Town
West Brom have conceded more than a goal-a-game on average since the start of 2021/22. That must change if Corberan is to replicate his Huddersfield heroics at the Hawthorns. 29-year-old Pearson, a load-bearing pillar in his coupon-busting Terriers side, would add some vital resilience. Not to mention a ‘thou shalt not pass’ approach to defending.
An approach too few of a West Brom persuasion seem to lack.
“Matty Pearson is a player who has been excellent helping the team to achieve three points” Corberan said last season; describing the former Luton colossus as a ‘competitive animal’ (Yorkshire Live).
“For me, had an excellent season.”
Pearson is currently out with injury but will be desperate to make up for lost time in 2023.
Levi Colwill – Chelsea
On the theme of central defenders; the current campaign is proving to be something of a step in the wrong direction for Colwill after his breakthrough season in Yorkshire. Brighton’s Chelsea loanee has played just 11 minutes in the Premier League, with Seagulls coach Roberto de Zerbi admitting today that finding a place for the England U21 international is ‘difficult’.
Could West Brom convince Chelsea to cut short Colwill’s time at the Amex before reuniting him with Corberan? If you don’t ask, you don’t get. And Colwill is certainly worth asking about.
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