The Baggies have cemented themselves in the mediocrity of mid-table in the last few seasons and Tony Pulis’ reign is the perfect symbol of that.
As the flair has drained out of the side, the team has become a chore to watch and incredibly reliant on a lack of natural full-backs and ‘passion’.
Your challenge on FM is to make West Brom a side you want to watch again and show that the Baggies have the resources to be more than a static mid-table club.
The defensive structure at the club will give you a solid start to your tenure, but the crucial factor of your reign will be if you can give the side more of a creative spark and begin to take on some of the more talented squads in the league.
Arguably, Stoke’s investment post-Pulis would be a good template for how to start your WBA save and you might want to look at some of these FIVE to help with the Baggies’ evolution…
Niko Kranjcar
Kranjcar’s turbulent career is coming into its twilight years, but the ex-Pompey star can do a good job for most Premier League sides.
The Croatian can play in any of the attacking midfield roles and, despite a low work rate, will be sure to create plenty of chances for your forward players.
Kranjcar isn’t going to be found tracking back a great deal and is fairly prone to injury, so use him sparingly but he is definitely a bargain at under £2 million.
Jesus Navas
Navas is often available after the first season of a save and the flying Spaniard will be a great addition to the Baggies’ squad.
His high wages may well be an issue for you, but the World Cup winner has the quality to really make the difference in the final third and would be a substantial improvement on the current wide options at the Hawthorns.
The transfer itself should be relatively cheap, but the board, and other squad members, might not be too impressed with a new signing getting such big wages.
Fran Villalba
Villalba is unquestionably a signing for the future, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the value of making such a transfer early on in your save.
The Valencia starlet becomes a great creative force in the ‘ten role’ and has a potential that should see him as a CL regular. Villalba should be available for very little early on and, if he realises his potential, you are certain to get a significant return on your investment.
The creator might be worth loaning out once you sign him, or you can opt to monitor his progress in your own youth ranks.
Glenn Whelan
This really is a throwback to the Pulis days at Stoke, but Whelan’s experience in central midfield could be useful cover in the short-term.
The Potters’ destroyer in the centre of the park is often replaced in their squad early on and the veteran might be available at cut price.
With the decline in rating of Claudio Yacob, a strong central midfielder is crucial and Whelan could provide the base for your newly attacking approach.
Gaston Ramirez
Ramirez has had an indifferent time since his move to England to say the least.
Many were shocked when the Uruguayan moved to Southampton and he has never really found his feet on the south coast.
However, much like Adel Taarabt or Hatem Ben Arfa, Ramirez can be a real asset to your squad if you get the man management right and use him in the correct system.
Saints are often happy to show this enigmatic character the door so he could be yours for a bargain price.
