Premier League 
/ Michael Lintorn / 02 August 2011 / Leave a Comment 
15-goal forward Peter Odemwingie looks likely to remain at West Brom
"Ben Foster’s loan addition should help the Baggies beat their dire 2010-11 total of two clean sheets."
West Brom haven't lasted more than two successive years in the top tier since 1985, but Roy Hodgson has the ability to buck that trend.
Last season
West Brom's boing-boinging usually fits their annual shift from one division to another, but 2010-11 had its own set of ups and downs, with a strong start - minus a 6-0 opening day humbling at Chelsea - and finish falling either side of a woeful winter that saw Roberto Di Matteo sacked and fears of a fourth relegation in five Premier League campaigns grow. Roy Hodgson's February arrival inspired a late climb from 17th to 11th.
Ins and outs
Ben Foster's loan addition should help the Baggies beat their dire 2010-11 total of two clean sheets and has allowed Scott Carson a fresh start at Bursaspor and Boaz Myhill to head to St Andrew's. The other signings have been low-profile - Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley and Preston's Billy Jones - with the most encouraging news of all being that prolific forward Peter Odemwingie has yet to leave.
The manager
LMA manager of the year a season ago after leading Fulham to the Europa League Final, Hodgson endured a chaotic campaign in which his reputation took a dramatic nosedive at Liverpool, where he never won over fans and failed to meet expectations of a top-four challenge. He surprisingly decided to return to work a month later at The Hawthorns and had an instant impact, losing just twice in 12 games.
Expectations
Having never before come higher than 17th in the Premier League, this is unchartered territory for West Brom, and given the way that Hodgson took charge of Fulham in a relegation battle and swiftly established them in mid-table, supporters can't be blamed for hoping for a top-half spot [[3.7]]. The struggles of rivals Wolves last term is an indicator of how tough the second season can be though.
Best Bet
West Brom to finish below Wolves @ [2.28] - Both Black Country clubs should survive but Wolves have fared better in the transfer market, signing Roger Johnson and Jamie O'Hara, so will fancy their chances of outshining their neighbours for the first time in five attempts as divisional adversaries.
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