With the Baggies almost certainly bound for the Coca-Cola Championship next season, many fans have already begun questioning their future in the second division including their capability of bouncing back to the top flight. Knowledgeable supporters of recurrently promoted and relegated teams will often say that it is in fact more difficult to secure birth in the Premier League than it is to survive for a single season in one of Europe’s most dominant leagues. Just this season, we’ve seen Birmingham City promoted back to the Premiership a year after their relegation, but conversely have also witnessed the relegation of Norwich City, Southampton and Charlton Athletic, all of which participated in the Premier League just four years ago; Charlton just two years ago. So what will the Baggies have to do to assure promotion to Premier League next season?

Like any relegated side, Albion will certainly lose some of their more coveted players. Their first step is going to be to protect the players that they’re capable of keeping and do their best to sufficiently replace the ones they will almost certainly lose to more fortunate clubs. Jonas Olsson has already admitted his hesitation for staying at the Hawthorns next season to the Swedish press, stating that there is a demand for his signature among Aston Villa, Everton, Bolton, and Blackburn. Other assets the Baggies could be compelled to protect may perhaps include the likes of Jay Simpson, Abdoulaye Meite, Chris Brunt, Marc-Antoine Fortune, and Gianni Zuiverloon. With newly acquired youngsters Youssuf Mulumbu and Scottish starlet Graham Dorrans also turning heads, maybe Mowbray should already be keeping an eye out for Wenger’s prying hands.

Yet, even keeping hold of some of their more sought after players won’t spell the beginning and end of their summer transfer affairs as they will positively look to acquire some new legs in the off-season. One thing that I have reiterated all season is that Albion have lacked the presence and authority of a dangerous striker. Their lack of conviction in the final third including the absence of a killer instinct when faced with the prospect of scoring has cost them Premier League survival this season. One of the clubs top priorities should be to secure the signature of a proven goalscorer such as former Baggie Kevin Phillips who has scored over 20 goals for five different clubs after helping Birmingham City clinch their place in the Premiership for next season.

Albion host Wigan at the Hawthorns this weekend. The Baggies will have to pull off a victory in order to continue their survival hopes for at least another week.

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