West Brom’s £5m star recently showed why he won’t start next season

West Bromwich Albion secured their Premier League status for another season, as they fought bravely to a 0-0 draw against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town.

Amazingly, the Baggies actually managed to survive in midweek with a comfortable 3-0 win over Watford, but that was backfired after the much-anticipated draw at the end.

Thankfully, the deficit was only two points, and after a draw with Kieran McKenna’s men on Saturday lunchtime, they won’t be dropping down to League One anytime soon.

All in all, it was a brave and determined display from the hard-pressed Baggies, with James Morrison the most popular in the dugout, for leading such a remarkable turnaround in the money.

West Brom stars as confirmed survivors

Morrison is now unbeaten in all of his last ten Premier League games as West Brom manager, with his reputation as a living legend at the Hawthorns – already strong with his 341 appearances for the club as a midfielder – only strengthened by his managerial expertise.

Not conceding in their last five games, again, it was another excellent performance from the likes of Danny Imray and Nat Phillips against the bulldozer boys, with a combined five duels won by the pair.

Alongside Imray and Phillips, who looked confident throughout the goalless affair, Alex Mowatt will also provide a cool spot in midfield, with the former Leeds United midfielder winning four duels and giving the ball away 10 times to ensure Jack Taylor didn’t play for the visitors.

In fact, everyone in Baggies blue and white was singing from the same hymn sheet during the tense draw, as each West Brom shirt changed in impressive fashion.

But, there will be a question as to whether the West Midlands giants should hold on to the tepid striker, as heading into next season, West Brom are expected to finish higher than their current 21st place.

The West Brom star is not expected to start next season

Historically, whenever West Brom have called the Championship home in recent years, they have been facing a promotion battle.

Under Carlos Corberan, the Baggies came close to promotion to the Premier League, with the 2023/24 season seeing the Spanish side slip into the semi-finals.

They haven’t been in and around these positions since the 43-year-old left the Baggies midway through the last campaign, but the hope will be that next season can be their time of choice to re-enter the Premier League, with Morrison surely the frontrunner for the big manager gig.

The concern will be whether Aune Heggebo will be gone due to promotion difficulties, far from anyone who has played a negative role, the Nordic striker has failed to really settle in the English game, since leaving Brann after last summer in a deal worth around £5m.

Indeed, he has just nine Championship goals to his name in 45 league games this season, with a wasteful number of 19 failing to hit the target at Ipswich on Saturday lunchtime.

After another goalless game against the Suffolk side, Heggebo has just one goal in his last ten league outings, with Josh Maja and Daryl Dike enjoying late performances to make up for the 24-year-old’s toothless performances.

Furthermore, while working hard for the cause, he was exploited for points against McKenna’s away side, with only five of his 12 attempted duels being successful.

West Brom may not be ruthless in the summer about Heggebo being a permanent player going forward, with the Baggies in front of goal against Watford, as a 3-0 win was secured with Maja and Dike as the two chosen players.

Before anyone gets too carried away with what will happen in the off-season, West Brom have one final game of the Championship season to go, as Wednesday’s trip to Sheffield will be an afternoon of relaxed celebrations, rather than a day to decide relegation.

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