West Bromwich Albion are no longer the 'boing boing Baggies'.
Season 2015/16 was their sixth in a row in the Premier League and although they finished just six points above the drop zone, the West Midlands outfit again established themselves in the top flight.
While they were largely unremarkable under Tony Pulis, they succeeded in a results-based business, which is enormously cut-throat in today's modern era.
Albion scored just 34 goals from their 38 league matches - the second worst return in the competition - but the graft they displayed in seeing through results to achieve their goal of survival showed a determined unit who played cohesively under their manager.
In saying that though, their last three finishes of 17th, 13th and 14th suggests it is time for the Baggies to start looking towards the top half, simply in a bid to breathe new life into what is probably becoming a tiresome exercise for The Hawthorns faithful.
Being the sole club in the West Midlands who will compete in the top flight in 2016/17 is in itself something to hang their hat on.
BAGGIES SNAPSHOT
POSITION: 14th
WIN-DRAW-LOSS RECORD:10-13-15
POINTS: 43
GOALS FOR-AGAINST:34-48
WEST BROM'S TOP 3
SCORERS: Salomon Rondon 9, Craig Dawson, Saido Berahino both 4
ASSISTS: Chris Brunt 4, five players all on 3
CLEAN SHEETS (leader): Boaz Myhill 7
YELLOW CARDS: Claudio Yacob 9, Chris Brunt, James McClean both 7
RED CARDS: Salomon Rondon, Gareth McAuley, James McClean all 1
EA SPORTS Player Performance Index: Craig Dawson 433, Darren Fletcher 403, Salomon Rondon 354
TRIBAL'S TOP BOY
TWITTER TALK
Thank you to all the @WBAFCofficial fans for the support during my time at the club! I wish you all the best for the future. God bless
— Victor Anichebe (@VictorAnichebe) May 16, 2016
Proud to finish as top scorer, but everyone deserves the credit. Next season we'll try to do even better! #WBApic.twitter.com/Vsz4TEfpII
— Salomón Rondón (@salorondon23) May 15, 2016
FROM THE BOSS
"Next season there will only be one club carrying that Premier League flag.
“It will be on the top of that stand and nowhere else. That's what I think of that achievement.
"It's fantastic. It's the only West Midlands club in the Premier League next year so we've got something to be proud of."
- Tony Pulis, May 2016
STAT STORY
*Thanks to Opta
107 – West Brom mustered just 107 shots on target in the Premier League this season, fewer than any other side. Reserved.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2016
