Boing Boing Baggies!

As Derby were shipping in six against Arsenal last night, across the midlands West Brom fans were celebrating all but clinching promotion to the Premiership.

For a long time observers have thought that the Baggies were the class of the Championship field. Under the guidance of Tony Mowbray they have played attacking football and have wowed fans with their ability to score goals seemingly at will.

They have scored more goals than anyone else in the country and are led by Kevin Phillips - a player who is still easily good enough for the top flight. A long FA Cup run came to an end with a semi-final defeat to Portsmouth, but the goal for this season was always securing promotion back to the top tier.

That is now all but assured. The only way they won’t get promoted on Sunday is if they lose at QPR, Stoke pick up at least a point against Leicester City and Hull win at Ipswich and turn around a 13 goal difference deficit.

This of course is about as likely as Derby County staying up this season due to three other clubs being demoted due to financial irregularities, so I think West Brom fans were safe when they invaded the pitch to celebrate last night.

It is great to see West Brom back in the top flight but I do fear for them next season. They are an excellent Championship club but the gulf between the top two divisions is growing ever wider. Defensively they will need to strengthen considerably otherwise they’ll struggle next season.

Their strength is going forward and if they keep that core in tact then they’ll have a good chance. Miller and Phillips are an excellent front pair who’ll trouble anyone in the Premiership. Zolten Gera has been looked at by several Premiership scouts and they’ll be disappointed that it’s unlikely he’ll be available for transfer in the summer.

The Baggies’ fans are amongst the best in the land and it will be a joy to see them back in the top flight of English football. So one club down and one club up, two more to go on each front and there are a plethora of clubs still involved – it is going to be a fun end to the season!