With the Championship closing it's doors for another season, let's look at what sets out to be an extraordinary final day.
Middlesbrough FC and Luton Town have already sealed their play-off spots, but the last two places remain up for grabs. Five different championship clubs are still in the running for a play-off place and a chance to play their football next season in the promise land, known as the Premier League. With this being said, what are West Brom's chances?
The fact that the Baggies have taken this play-off push down to the final day, is a credit to manager Carlos Corberán who succeeded Steve Bruce. Under Bruce, West Brom found themselves criminally underachieving and rock bottom of the gruelling championship after 19 games played, amassing just fourteen points.
The Spaniard has implemented a new philosophy to get the best out of a talented group of players, with the likes of Grady Diangana and Karlan Grant costing the Albion more than fifteen million pounds, each. Most importantly, the family element of this historic club has been resurrected under Corberán. This is particularly important, as the club is struggling financially, with loans being taken out to fund the day-to-day running of the club. The fans are also turning on the owner, Guochuan Lai, in an aim to sell the club to different owners.
Since then, West Brom have been on an upturn in form and currently sit in eighth place, just two points off of the play-offs. Under 'King Carlos', West Brom have been breathtaking at times. Wins away at Sunderland and QPR, on top of routine home performances have seen West Brom surge up the Championship table. Although injuries have hit the Baggies which has seen form dip, they boasted an unbeaten record at home in over 20 matches, until the loss against Sunderland, last month.
With a trip to Wembley potentially around the corner, what do West Brom need?
Corberán's men have a mountain to climb. They travel to Wales on Monday, to face Swansea City, with a win needed, to have any chance of cementing a play-off push. Albion will also need fellow promotion rivals Sunderland, to drop points away to Preston North End and Millwall to fail to win at home, versus Blackburn Rovers, to keep the promotion dream alive.
Monday proves to be make or break for a whole host of Championship Football Clubs, but can West Bromwich Albion make it?
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