West Bromwich Albion played out a goalless draw with Southampton at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon, leaving it all to play for in the second leg which takes place this Friday night.
The Baggies are vying for a spot at Wembley in the play-off final next Sunday in a game which is estimated to be worth anywhere between £135 million and £265 million, depending on whether or not the winner manages to survive in the Premier League in their first season back.
West Brom haven’t been in the top-flight in three years, having been relegated at the end of the 2020/21 season under Sam Allardyce in what was quite a calamitous campaign for the West Midlands outfit as they mustered merely five victories, eventually finishing 13 points below safety by the final game.
Nonetheless, West Bromwich Albion are in a much better place now, financially and regarding the quality of the players on the pitch. A return to the promised land would mark a tremendous beginning to Shilen Patel’s reign as owner, having completed his takeover from Lai Guochuan just three months ago.
Unfortunately, if the Baggies manage to be victorious in the second leg of their play-off semi-final tie with Southampton, it could have dire consequences for one man. The Daily Mail are reporting that Saints boss Russell Martin “will likely” lose his job should the club fail to earn promotion back to the top division of English football.
The 38-year-old took the job at the St. Mary’s Stadium in the summer after Southampton were relegated from the Premier League but will see parachute payments drastically reduced next season should they miss out on promotion via the play-offs.
Writer’s View
This would be incredibly harsh and difficult to imagine coming true. Martin’s Southampton achieved 87 points in what was one of the most gruelling Championship campaigns in recent memory where three clubs earned 90 or more points: Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Leeds United.
Nevertheless, football can be a cruel game. The former Swansea City boss should be given the benefit of the doubt to learn from this season and take the club to where they want to be. But if the report is true, West Bromwich Albion may have his fate in their hands ahead of this Friday’s clash.
Podcasts
Leave a Reply