West Bromwich Albion

Steve Hermon
BBC Radio WM

Image source, Getty Images

What do West Brom need in January?

Albion firstly need a new head coach following Carlos Corberan's departure to Valencia and, in my opinion, at least three additions to bolster the squad and maintain a play-off push.

Corberan said in his final press conference that the main priority would be a central defender and something the recruitment team is already working on, especially with Paddy McNair joining new MLS franchise San Diego when his loan finishes next week.

Daryl Dike's comeback from his latest long-term injury might also determine whether they look to bolster their forward options. Josh Maja can't do it on his own and Devante Cole has only had limited minutes.

More output from the number 10 role is also needed as Grady Diangana, who has struggled with injuries, has only scored once and John Swift is yet to net.

What sort of business are they likely to do?

Albion still have to be clever in the transfer market due to financial losses in the previous two years and this year it's expected to be higher.

The most likely route to new arrivals is loans but the Baggies showed they are capable of spending money in the summer with the £3m outlay for Mikey Johnston spread across his four-year contract and the bargain £500,000 on defender Torbjorn Heggem.

How successful have they been in recent January windows?

Last January can be considered a success by just one signing alone. Johnston arrived on loan from Celtic and scored seven goals in 20 appearances to help the Baggies secure a play-off place.

He made that much of an impact that Albion signed him permanently on transfer deadline day in the summer, despite having limited funds to play with.

Two other loan deals were also done last winter. They signed experienced forward Andi Weimann, who chipped in with a couple of vital goals, but West Ham youngster Callum Marshall was a complete flop. French free agent Yann M'Vila made up the numbers but left in the summer.

2022 saw the arrivals of veteran striker Andy Carroll, who scored three goals, and Albion's last big money January signing, Dike.

The United States international arrived for a reported £7m from Orlando City but has made just 32 appearances, scoring eight times, since then due to multiple serious injuries.

Are there likely to be any notable departures?

All the signs point to Lewis Dobbin's season-long loan from Aston Villa being cut short.

The forward has started just one league game and was left out of the squad for the Boxing Day defeat at Derby

I'm sure there will be speculation surrounding winger Tom Fellows but Albion rejected a £10m bid from Southampton in the summer and insist they don't need to sell anybody.

How important is the transfer window likely to be in determining the success of their season?

The Championship isn't as strong this season, so the Baggies do still have a decent chance of challenging for a top-six place with the squad they have but need stronger options to cement a place there.

They've been more defensively solid than last season but have lacked consistent creativity in the final third. They need to find a spark, similar to what they got with Johnston's arrival last January.

However, their most important signing will be head coach, rather than a player.

Bramall Lane plays host to a top 10 clash in the Championship on Sunday as Sheffield United welcome West Bromwich Albion with both sides looking to bounce back from Boxing Day defeats.

The Blades remain second in the table despite a loss at home to fellow promotion chasers Burnley during the week, while the Baggies - currently eighth in the division - were beaten by Derby County last time out.

When they faced each other a few weeks ago, these two teams played out an end-to-end 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns.

• Sheffield United have won their last three home league games against West Bromwich Albion, scoring two goals in each victory.

• West Brom are winless in four league games against Sheffield United (D1 L3) since winning 4-0 in August 2021.

• Sheffield United haven't ended a year with a league draw in any of their last 20 years (W12 L8), since drawing 1-1 with Wigan Athletic in 2003.

• West Brom have won their final league game in each of the last two years, last ending a calendar year with victory in three years in a row between 2006 and 2009 (4).

• Sheffield United's Chris Wilder is unbeaten in his last four league meetings with West Bromwich Albion (W2 D2), two with the Blades (W1 D1) and two with Middlesbrough (W1 D1).

Steve Hermon
BBC Radio WM

Image source, Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion's desire to find a more expressive coach might actually be music to many fans' ears.

After this season's long run of draws - six of them goalless - grumbles over Corberan's perceived style of play became more vocal.

When owner Shilen Patel took over this spring, one of his first statements was to rightly back the Spaniard after the job he'd done in difficult circumstances.

That backing continued right to the end of Corberan's reign but this is now an opportunity for Bilkul WBA to find their own man and mould the club in their own vision to benefit the Baggies long term, not just challenging for a play-off place.

That's why the club are willing to take their time to make the right appointment, leaving the team to be led by the trio of Damia Abella, who isn't expected to follow Corberan to Valencia, and ex-players Chris Brunt and Boaz Myhill for the rest of the festive period.

The search for Corberan's successor is being led by sporting director Andrew Nestor and, unsurprisingly, Albion have received a lot of interest.

Even before Corberan left, they were planning for this eventuality. Just like planning ahead for transfer windows and potential players, they also keep an eye on coaches.

The Baggies' recruitment process is big on analytics. This includes a head coach, a tactically astute leader, who can motivate players but bring an expressive style.

Steve Hermon
BBC Radio WM

Image source, Rex Features

West Bromwich Albion left it late to deliver their Christmas Eve bombshell that Carlos Corberan was leaving to take over at Valencia.

Santa Claus was well into his round when the announcement came at just 20 minutes to midnight.

But where does it now leave the club? And their now former head coach.

Going back to Spain to manage Valencia may prove to be a risk for 41-year-old Corberan.

Just ask one of his predecessors in the job, Gary Neville!

The men from the Mestalla are in the relegation zone, have had financial difficulties and, since current Aston Villa boss Unai Emery left in 2012, only one manager has lasted longer than two years in charge.

But then there's Albion's own financial situation.

Corberan's hands have been tied for most of his 26-month reign.

He was appointed as Steve Bruce's successor in October 2022 when chairman Guochuan Lai was still officially at the helm, but in name only, with presence and financial support completely non-existent. Yet Corberan organised a team who went from the relegation zone to just missing out on a 2022-23 Championship play-off place.

The following season, he did achieve a place in the top six, losing in the semis to Southampton, with whom he was also linked last week - again without a single penny for his recruitment team to spend.

But his coaching qualities came to the fore as he turned cast-offs such as Cedric Kipre, Alex Mowatt into vital members of his starting XI, which he has done again this season with Karlan Grant.

Despite American businessman Shilen Patel's February takeover, the club's financial restrictions remain ongoing. Only last week it was revealed that the decreased wage budget back in the summer was actually as much as 30%, forcing the loss of several players.

For the Baggies, it's a blow in the short term – particularly the timing of it with three games to come in six days over the festive period. But it may be a move that suits all parties.

Corberan gets to finally test himself in the top flight of an elite league, he gets a move close to his family and that vocal minority of Albion fans who've become tired of his football will get to see something different.

However, that comes with a side warning of 'be careful what you wish for' because the job he has done in stabilising the club on the field during a period of utter turmoil cannot be understated and they're definitely in a better place compared with two years ago.

He should leave with the well wishes of the majority of Baggies supporters - and definitely will with those he worked with at the training ground because, as well as being a top coach, most importantly, he is a decent man.

Derby County have so far performed the best out of last season's promoted sides from League One - the Rams sit 16th in the Championship.

West Brom travel to Pride Park looking to push on into the league's top six, currently sitting seventh, outside the play-offs only by virtue of goals scored.

Derby have just one win and three defeats in their last five games. They are level on points with Coventry City below them and one point behind Luton Town above.

• Derby County have lost one of their last six league games against West Bromwich Albion (W3 D2), a 2-0 away defeat in July 2020.

• West Brom have won one of their last 31 away league games against Derby, winning 1-0 in August 2003 under Gary Megson.

• Derby have never lost on Boxing Day against West Brom across three previous meetings (W1 D2), winning their only home game 1-0 in 1936 under George Jobey.

• West Bromwich Albion have won their last two Boxing Day matches, last winning four years in a row on December 26 between 1990 and 1994.

• Derby have won only five of their last 22 league games on Boxing Day (D7 L10), although they did win 1-0 against Wigan last year.

Image source, Rex Features

Carlos Corberan's rumoured impending exit from West Bromwich Albion would be a massive blow to the Championship club, according to ex-midfielder Darren Carter.

Reports in Spain, external suggest the La Liga club have activated Corberan's £2.8m release clause with the announcement of his appointment apparently imminent.

The former Champions League finalists are second bottom of the Spanish top flight, four points from safety, and Corberan, 41, hails from the Valencia region.

"I've been a big fan of Carlos Corberan and he's done fantastically well with that [Albion] squad last year," Carter told BBC Radio WM.

"He's done fantastic this year to be in and around the play-offs with not the biggest squad or the best resources.

"You just want the club to give some indication that they're going to back him at some point and give him the resources to kick the club on because he's clearly got the skills to do that.

"The problem is for West Brom fans, while he's doing this job there's always going to be other clubs with eyes on him.

"With it [Valencia] being his hometown club and his ties back there, you'd want it to just be speculation but unfortunately it does look like it's going that way and it would be a big, big miss."

Image source, Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan is not the first to question the fairness of English football's Christmas fixture schedule - and he sure won't be the last.

But, despite seeing his side recover from losing at Watford the previous Sunday to go into Christmas with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bristol City, Corberan was still moaning that Albion's next opponents - Derby County on Boxing Day (17:30 GMT) -will have had two more days of rest.

The Baggies' Sunday stroll in the rain against their feeble opponents began a run of five games in 14 days stretching until the 11th day of Christmas - 4 January.

But Corberan has been left at his most bemused by the fact that his side must now play again with almost 48 hours' less preparation time than the Rams, who were beaten by two late Luton Town goals at Kenilworth Road on Friday night.

"Bristol City and us are the teams who suffer in this period," said Corberan. "Teams like Derby are going to play four games in a row - we are going to play five. They have a week for the Thursday game, while we only played on Sunday.

"It is a physical disadvantage. It is madness. Playing against a team at this time of the season who have had two days' more recovery is unfair. We cannot say we aren't going for results. It's my responsibility but it's too much.

"Five games in a row. We shouldn't have played on Sunday, knowing the games coming. We should have played Saturday, like the other Championship teams. We have only three days in between and it will be difficult from the physical perspective."

The game was moved to Sunday as it was being shown on one of Sky's football channels.

Bristol City do at least have their next two games at home - but Albion are now twice on the road, with a trip to face current leaders Sheffield United to follow that teatime trip to Derby.

Both games will be live on BBC Radio WM, with commentary from Steve Hermon and Albion legend Tony 'Bomber' Brown.

There will also be a special show on Friday, 27 December at 18:00 GMT with highlights of the conversations with Albion head coach Corberan, Birmingham City boss Chris Davies and Walsall's Mat Sadler when they were all invited into the BBC Radio WM studio earlier in the season.

BBC Radio WM also have a West Midlands football 2024 Year in Review on Saturday, 28 December at 17:00 GMT, to be repeated on New Year's Eve (Tuesday) at 18:00 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Two-goal Mikey Johnston was delighted to end his personal drought this season with a match-winning double to beat Bristol City.

But, despite his first goals since April, he was still not happy with his own performance.

"I've been working hard to get the rewards and finally it happened," he told BBC Radio WM. "But I've had better games and not scored, but gone close.

"That's football sometimes. One goes in and then you get another - it's only the second I've scored with my head though."

His first goal against the Robins was a header from a trademark Tom Fellows right-wing cross.

"Defenders know it's coming but they still can't stop it," Johnston smiled.

Then the second came with the sort of right-foot curler he made a speciality of when first on loan from Celtic last spring, before completing his move south from Glasgow on deadline day this August.

"I do that every day in training and this time it's come off," he said. "But I've been in and out a bit this season and finding a bit of rhythm can be tough.

"We've got a lot of games coming up but that's a good start and it's nice to be back on the scoresheet."

Image source, Rex Features

West Bromwich Albion have Grady Diangana back in contention to play against Bristol City on Sunday after missing six games with a calf problem.

The 26-year-old ex-West Ham United winger scored seven times last season and made eight assists as the Baggies reached the Championship play-offs.

But niggling injuries have kept him out of nine of Albion's 21 league games this season - including only six starts.

With five games in 13 days coming up over the festive period, boss Carlos Corberan knows his squad will be fully tested - and wants last season's version of Diangana back.

"Last year Grady was one of our most important players, especially in the last third, with his goal involvement" Corberan told BBC Radio WM.

"He started with a shoulder injury in pre-season and has not had the consistency he needs.

"He has trained this week. Two physical days, two football days. If his reaction is positive, touch wood, hopefully he will be ready for Sunday."

Albion must make one change on the left side as Callum Styles sustained a hamstring issue in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Watford, but Corberan hopes Diangana's potential return can help the positive Hawthorns momentum going.

Having been top in late September, Albion have slumped to eighth, 13 points off the pace, having won just twice in 15 games - but 10 were draws. And they have at least rediscovered where the goals are at home.

After scoring just two goals in their first seven league games this season, they have now netted twice in each of their three most recent matches at The Hawthorns - 2-2 draws against both Norwich City and Sheffield United and then the fortuitous 2-0 home win over Coventry City.

Bristol City are five points behind the Baggies going into the final round of fixtures this side of Christmas and start the weekend in 11th place.

Image source, Rex Features

Amid speculation West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan could take up the vacant managerial position at Southampton after Russell Martin's departure, many Baggies fans are beginning to wonder if the rest of the season will be without the Spaniard at the helm.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, one Albion fan acknowledged Corberan's success but felt it was time to call it quits, while another fan thought the suggestion that the 41-year-old should leave was "a wind-up".

Former Albion midfielder Marc Albrighton, however, agreed that a move south could be mutually beneficial for both parties.

"If he's still there come the end of the season, I don't see West Brom getting into the play-offs," Albrighton told BBC Radio WM.

"He's had a while there, he's done fantastically well but he's had two or three opportunities to get them out the league.

"Maybe something fresh, maybe something new, maybe new ideas for the players that are currently there could be what it needs."

Listen to the West Midlands Football Phone-In every weeknight at 18:00 on BBC Radio WM

After seeing their dozen-match unbeaten streak ended with defeat at Watford last Sunday, West Brom will seek to start a new one when Bristol City visit The Hawthorns this Sunday.

The Baggies could find themselves five points adrift of the play-off places come kick-off while the Robins start the weekend eight places but only five points ahead of 19th-placed Luton.

• West Brom have lost just one of their past eight league games against Bristol City (W5 D2), with each of those five victories coming via a two-goal margin or more.

• Bristol City have lost seven of their past nine away league games against West Brom (W1 D1), conceding an average of 2.7 goals per match across that time.

• West Brom have scored just eight goals across their 10 home league games in the Championship so far this season – the fewest of any side in the competition.

• Bristol City have failed to win any of their last three league games (D2 L1) and could go four without victory for the first time since March 2024 when they lost four matches in succession.

• West Brom's Tom Fellows has recorded seven assists in the Championship so far this season, with only Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz (8) managing more in the competition.

Commentators spend hours and hours preparing for each match they cover, writing pages upon pages of notes in order to be prepared as well as possible.

But what happens if those notes suddenly vanish?

"It's never a good idea to go into a commentary under-prepped, but it can be dropped on you," BBC Radio 5 Live's Alistair Bruce-Ball told the latest episode of The Commentators' View podcast.

"I remember a few seasons ago at West Brom for the opening game of the season. it was a lovely sunny day and I was sitting in the commentary position there with all my notes in front of me.

"Then, a gust of wind took the notes off the gantry, down into the fans below, and all the notes I'd done all week for the game had completely gone. I was just doing the commentary without any notes at all! Actually, it sharpens you up in a way, and you've really got to switch on - you've not got that crutch to lean on."

"That happened to John Acres last week," said fellow commentator Conor McNamara. "I was at the Manchester United-Nottingham Forest game, which he was doing for 5 Live, and it was very stormy.

"So when he got out of the car in the car park, apparently his notes fell from his hand, and in that classic if you've got buttered toast it's always the buttered side that lands down way…

"So whatever way he'd been doing his notes in the car, when he got out of the car, the wind blew, it turned onto the inked side and landed face down. It totally smudged.

"He showed it to me - totally indecipherable!"

As the two reflected on shared pain, Bruce-Ball suddenly remembered what exactly happened at West Brom: "t wasn't a gust of wind, it was a wasp that flew into my mouth while I was talking, and I panicked and swished my hand at the notes.

"So, I actually flipped my notes, and honestly just watching them fly in the air and just disappear. I can't remember who the summariser was sitting alongside me, and we both just looked at each other like… eek!"

Listen to the full episode now