West Brom are most certainly well in the battle for promotion from the Championship, as we head into the final months of the season.
As things stand, the Baggies are currently fifth in the second-tier table, 13 points adrift of an automatic promotion spot.
However, they are also four clear of seventh-placed Coventry City. That of course, means they are in contention to secure a top six spot, and with it, a shot at promotion via the play-offs.
Admittedly, West Brom are not a club that are unfamiliar with the Premier League in recent years.
Even so, when you look at how things have gone in the transfer window this season, it is hard not to admire manager Carlos Corberan, for his work getting them to that position.
West Brom quiet in the transfer market this season
While many Championship clubs have been active in the market this season, the Baggies have not really been one of them.
Across the summer and January windows, West Brom have completed just five first-team signings. Only one of those has been permanent deals. That came with the addition of Josh Maja on a free transfer in the summer.
The striker has however, spent much of the season absent due to injury. Meanwhile, four players have joined on loan. Even so, one of those, Jeremy Sarmiento, was recalled by Brighton and loaned to another Championship side – Ipswich Town – in January.
It is also worth noting that unlike the limited investment and additions Corberan has had to work with at The Hawthorns, the same cannot be said for other clubs chasing promotion.
Carlos Corberan hasn’t had the investment of promotion rivals
Unlike West Brom, other Championship promotion chasers have certainly been active in the market this season.
League leaders Leicester have signed nine new senior players during the campaign, spending fees on five of those.
Southampton have also added ten senior players of their own, paying fees twice.
It is a similar story for clubs who occupy the play-off places alongside West Brom. Leeds United have made ten senior signings, five of which have been for a fee. At Ipswich, nine new players have joined the first-team, of which four have been paid for.
Hull City meanwhile, have shown an immense amount of ambition with 15 players who joined this season, currently in their first-team squad. Seven of those, they spent money on.
As a result, it seems clear that Corberan has West Brom in a position to contend for a place in the Premier League, despite his resources being much more limited than those in a similar position.
That in turn, arguably indicates that he is getting more out of a lot less, than many of the others in this division.
It could also be noted that West Brom have received fees for two players this season. Dara O’Shea joined Burnley in the summer for a reported £7million. January meanwhile, saw Taylor Gardner-Hickman make a loan move to Bristol City permanent, for a fee previously suggested to be around £1.3million.
The fact though, that the funds raised from those sales appear to not have been reinvested in the squad, does not seem to have impacted Corberan’s approach either.
Consequently, his attitude in not feeling hard done by with the situation and continuing to give his all, is another thing you feel has to be admired about him.
With all that in mind, it does seem as though those connected with West Brom can feel very fortunate to have Corberan, for plenty of different reasons.