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'Flatlined' - What Bristol City can expect from West Brom and Carlos Corberan at The Hawthorns

-Credit:Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
-Credit:Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images


Having played out frustrating 1-1 draws with both Sunderland and QPR in their last two games, Bristol City are looking to end a three-match winless run against West Brom this weekend.

Liam Manning's side make the trip to The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon and will be looking to pick up a much-needed three points against Carlos Corberan's side in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Albion currently sit eighth in the Championship table, two points adrift of the play-off places and five clear of the Robins. The Baggies started the season excellently, winning five of their opening six matches but have struggled to turn draws into wins in recent weeks.

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Corberan's side have only won two of their last 15 league games and have already drawn on 11 different occasions this term, more than any other club in the second tier.

While City's performances have impressed in recent weeks, the Robins have struggled to convert good displays into wins and currently place 11th in the Championship, seven points off of the top six and 10 clear of the relegation zone.

When the two sides met at The Hawthorns last season, it was Albion who came out on top as goals from Tom Fellows and Jed Wallace handed West Brom a 2-0 win. At Ashton Gate earlier in the season, there was nothing to separate the two teams as the points were shared in a 0-0 draw.

Ahead of Saturday afternoon's game, Bristol Live spoke to Joe Chapman from our sister publication Birmingham Live to get the latest insight on the Baggies' season.

How would you evaluate West Brom's season so far?

One which began like a house on fire, but has since flatlined. Albion raised expectations after about six games, but they have since won two of their last 15, but they have drawn ten of them! They're still in touch with the top six and are still very hard to beat, especially at home.

They've only lost twice at The Hawthorns since February and they've had some real success stories this season, such as Josh Maja who has ten goals to his name, Karlan Grant who is rejuvenated and Torbjorn Heggem who has been one of the bargains of the summer transfer window. Others, like John Swift, Grady Diangana, Mikey Johnston and Jed Wallace haven't yet managed to contribute in the final third.

Is there any fear this could be Corberan's last game in charge amid links with Southampton?

I wouldn't say worriment. There have been whispers and I would fully expect Carlos to have admirers elsewhere, simply because of the general job he has carried out since joining Albion two years ago. That said, the links with other clubs aren't new. He's been linked with Wolves, Leicester, Leeds, Everton - you name it - since his appointment here. Whenever Carlos speaks, you can tell that his concentration is firmly on the job. After that, what will be will be.

Why have Albion struggled to turn draws into wins this season?

Maja, as mentioned, has been great. Grant too is enjoying a season few outside of the club could have predicted before a ball was kicked. Between them they have 15 goals this season, the majority of Albion's overall haul. Fellows has contributed in the form of assists but generally, goals have been non-existent from the wide areas.

Without the extra threats on the wings from Wallace, Diangana and Johnston, as well as through the middle with Swift, Albion have relied heavily on the front two. Six of the 11 draws have been goalless. They just haven't had enough cutting-edge sometimes.

Who are they key players City fans should be looking out for?

Grant has been in red-hot form and scored a wonderful goal in the win over Coventry last week. He plays off Maja, just left of centre, and it's a partnership which is burgeoning. Fellows on the right has a gift whereby he repeats the same trick over and over again and few full-backs have been able to deny him. It's meant a steady supply of assists from the right flank and Maja has often been the beneficiary.

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