Premier League

JOE completes its series of Premier League previews with a look at newly promoted West Brom, as well as Wigan, West Ham and Wolves.

By Conor Hogan

West Brom

Last Season: 2nd in the Championship

Transfers in: Boaz Myhill (Hull, £1.5m) Nicky Shorey (Aston Villa, £1m) Gabriel Tamas (Auxerre, £800,000) Steven Reid (Blackburn, free) Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid, free)

Transfers out: Jonathan Greening (Fulham, free), Borja Valero (Villarreal, £4m), Joss Labadie (Tranmere, free) Bojan Valero (Villareal, £5million)

Overview: West Brom fans are used to it at this stage. Since 2002, the Baggies have had four promotions and three relegations. They are the definition of a yo-yo club.

The board try and run their club ‘the right way.' Once relegated, the Albion don’t sell off their best players. This ensures they have a competitive Championship team. Once promoted again, however, they don’t break the bank to stay up.

This strategy has ensured that the club has no debt, though it certainly adds to the frustration of their supporters. This season will be no different. Unusually for a newly promoted team, they have actually made over £6million in profit so far from their transfer dealings. None of their new signings have cost over £1.5million

West Brom’s two top scorers last term, Chris Brunt and Graham Dorrans, were midfielders and they are sure to be reliant on them. Their most prolific striker in 2009/2010 was Roman Bednar, who only managed ten. The Czech could only score six in his last campaign in the Premier League.

The Baggies squad doesn’t look any stronger than their last campaign in the top flight when they finished in last place. The only reason they’ll improve on that position this term is because Blackpool have such a weak squad.

One to watch: Scotland International Graham Dorrans was a target for many Premier League clubs last season. The Guardian described him as “the best all-round midfielder seen at West Brom since Bryan Robson,” in 2010.

Fantasy football goldmine: Chris Brunt-£5.5million. Nine goals and three assists for West Brom in 2008/2009 earned the Northern Irishman 121 points. Very reasonable price.

JOE prediction: 19th

West Ham

Last Season: 17th

Transfers in: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM, £4m), Frederic Piquionne (Lyon, £1m), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Lazio, free) Tal Ben Haim (Portsmouth, loan) Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland, undisclosed)

Transfers out: Bondz N'Gala (Plymouth Argyle, free), Guillermo Franco (Released), Ilan (Released), Josh Payne (Released)

Overview: Gianfranco Zola is a lovely fellah, but let’s be honest, he isn’t a particularly good manager. Davids Sullivan and Gold didn’t make it any easier for him with their constant undermining, though his 29% win percentage speaks for itself.

West Ham stayed up with 35 points last season, the lowest total to survive in Premier League history. In most seasons, they would have been relegated, but luckily for them Hull, Burnley and Portsmouth played in the same division.

New manager Avram Grant was probably the only manager in the top flight to have a more stressful time than Zola last year. Despite the inevitable relegation, he managed to enhance his reputation immensely. Leading Pompey to an FA Cup final was an extraordinary achievement.

West Ham have the bones of a good team. Rob Green was first choice goalkeeper for England at the start of the World Cup (though maybe we shouldn’t talk about that). Matt Upson and 26-times capped American, Jonathan Spector should be a solid centre-back partnership. Valon Behrami and Tottenham target Scott Parker are fine midfielders, and Mark Noble and Jack Collison have bags of potential.

Up front, Carlton Cole is finally living up to expectations, while Piquionne or Yakubu (if he is signed) are decent potential partners. Under Grant, this term, West Ham are unlikely to be in any danger of relegation.

One to watch: Versatile Welsh international Jack Collison can play in any position across the midfield. The 21 year-old showed incredible mental strength in a man of the match performance against Millwall on the night of his father’s death. "Jack is unbelievable - he's getting better and better," ex-Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola said.

Fantasy football goldmine: Frederic Piquionne-£5.5million. This might seem a strange one, but the New Caledonian notched up nearly 100 points last campaign playing for the team who finished bottom of the league. He’s also £1million cheaper than Carlton Cole.

JOE prediction: 14th