This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
West Bromwich Albion have had a strange couple of months, and after setting the pace early on this season, they have slowly started to slip down the table, but January's transfer window could be the time to turn their campaign back around.
It's fair to say that Albion don’t have much momentum right now, with nine draws in their last 10 league outings. The Baggies have shown strong resilience as they do not concede regularly, but their output has dropped at the other end after a promising start to the season.
On the face of it, the Baggies are in a healthy position just outside the play-off places, and most fans would’ve taken that after a busy summer following their play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton last season. However, when you've won just once in 10 games, it raises valid concerns.
That's despite having a range of attacking options at Carlos Corberan's disposal. He will undoubtedly want more from the likes of Jed Wallace, Mikey Johnston, John Swift, Devante Cole, and Grady Diangana in terms of direct output in attack.
You would imagine that the eight or nine clubs realistically capable of finishing inside the Championship's top six, and especially those targeting an automatic finish, such as Sheffield United, Leeds United, Burnley, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and the Baggies, will be identifying the January transfer window as a strong opportunity to source additional attacking flair and goals.
Championship standings (03/12/24)
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The verdict on West Bromwich Albion's January transfer window
Carlos Corberan in charge of West Brom v Middlesbrough
The squad’s cohesion, alongside standout performers like Alex Mowatt and Josh Maja, has put the club in a strong position to challenge for a top six finish or even automatic promotion. However, the January transfer window will be vital to a West Brom side who must bolster their squad to maintain momentum, especially with key players needing added competition.
Football League World has asked our West Brom Fan Pundit Callum Burgess for his verdict on how much he expects the club to do in January, and how much money he expects to be invested as well.
He said: "With the clubs financial situation in mind, I definitely do not see Albion going out and spending lots of money in the upcoming transfer window.
"But I think it's necessary that we try and bring in some quality in on loan to give us the best chance possible of finishing the season strongly.
"I think we definitely need another midfielder, and an attacker to bring some more quality of the bench.
"With fans being disappointed at the likes of Jed Wallace, John Swift, Grady Diangana, and Lewis Dobbin; all of those have failed to get a single goal contribution so far this season.
"So if we can get in a player with a bit of spark off the bench, or even to start a lot of the games, then I think that is definitely necessary.
"Look at the Premier League and see who is not playing many games to try and get a player in who wants to prove himself.
"Hopefully, that will give Albion the best chance possible of getting into the play-offs."
Carlos Corberan Related
["I think my biggest fear" - West Brom transfer alarm raised as January looms](https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/west-bromwich-albion-warned-ahead-of-january-transfer-window/ ""I think my biggest fear" - West Brom transfer alarm raised as January looms")
Carlos Corberan will be hoping that the upcoming window offers him the chance to fix the issues that he is facing currently.
West Bromwich Albion's 2025 January transfer window plans
Daniel Farke, Carlos Corberan
The Baggies will also face challenges from other promotion-chasing clubs, making January pivotal not just for them but for many Championship sides hoping to secure the final pieces of their promotion puzzle.
That's despite their financial situation lacking some clarity heading towards the winter market, with Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports reporting in August that Albion are on course to breach PSR rules, which means they must agree to deals with the EFL on future transfer prices and wage costs.
Operating under an EFL-imposed business plan could have repercussions, but the Baggies know they must hit the mark with acquisitions. Performances in terms of the floor level makes them hard to beat, with Corberan’s tactical approach, marked by a well-drilled defence, meaning they do not concede regularly.
It is why draws have been plentiful thus far, but also highlights the need for players who can help turn those into wins, with West Brom needing to convert solid performances into results and points more consistently.
Maja, Tom Fellows, and Karlan Grant have been the most frequent supply of goal contributions thus far. It's fair to say that many others should be doing more in front of goal, relative to their talents; however, it's fair to say that solutions could be found via Corberan tactically as well.
For a side looking to go better than just the play-offs, the inconsistency in delivering meaningful output has been a letdown for Corberan and the club's supporters, but January provides the opportunity to rectify that.