West Brom: Premier League season review 2014/15

We reflect on West Brom's 2014/15 season, with stats, quotes and pundit views...

West Brom

Finishing position: 13th (+4 on last season)

Total points: 44 (+8 on last season)

FA Cup: Knocked out in quarter-finals by Aston Villa

Capital One Cup: Knocked out in round four by Bournemouth

Season review

West Brom eventually coasted to mid-table respectability with a minimum of fuss under Tony Pulis, but most followers felt a relegation battle was on the cards at the turn of the year.

Alan Irvine, who had been overseeing Everton’s youth team for the last three seasons, was named as the surprise replacement for Pepe Mel last summer but by December 29 he had won only four of his 19 games in charge and the club was one point above the relegation zone. A run of seven defeats in nine matches, culminating in a 2-0 defeat at Stoke, meant a new man would be in place for the New Year.

That man was former Stoke and Crystal Palace boss Pulis whose defensive approach saw West Brom lose just six league games in the second half of the season and achieve unlikely wins away at Manchester United and at home to Chelsea in May. Striker Saido Berahino hit double figures and earned himself a call-up to the full England squad, while the January arrival of Darren Fletcher from Manchester United was warmly received by supporters. Summer signing Brown Ideye perhaps failed to live up to his billing at first but most supporters will be happy with the season, even if they’d like to see a little more flair added to the first team next term. A 4-1 defeat away to Arsenal was a disappointing way to end the season, but the Baggies can push on next year.

Paul Merson’s star player: Chris Brunt

“For me, their player of the year has to be my favourite West Brom player to watch, and that’s Chris Brunt. He’s got a great left foot, a good football brain and if he just had an extra yard of pace about him he’d be playing for one of the top teams.”

Quotes of the season

“If I can keep them in the Premier League and score as many goals as I can, I’m pretty sure the fans wouldn’t mind me pushing on and going on to bigger things” – Saido Berahino in February

“He’s on the naughty chair" – Tony Pulis on Berahino after those quotes

"We were disappointed for Carlton because he was also excited about joining us but for reasons which were beyond our control we could not complete the deal. The same can be said for the proposal involving Martin Olsson and Graham Dorrans.” – Jeremy Peace on Carlton Cole’s collapsed deadline day transfer from West Ham

"If I own an English club, I sign Tony Pulis. It's as simple as that - he's a guarantee to achieve what the club wants" – Jose Mourinho in May

Stats of the season

- West Brom posted the lowest possession percentage (20%) of any winning team in the last 10 years of the Premier League when they beat Manchester United at the start of May

- West Brom scored more than twice in only two Premier League games this season – once against a relegated side (4-0 v Burnley) and once against the champions (3-0 v Chelsea)

- Saido Berahino is the only West Brom player to play in every Premier League game this season

- Victor Anichebe is the only player in history to have scored 20 Premier League goals with more than half of them being scored as a substitute

Paul Merson’s view

“I think West Brom have done really well this season. Tony Pulis came in and their results have been a little bit up and down but they’re safe and that’s what the name of the game is for the likes of West Brom. It’s so difficult with so many teams fighting at the bottom but they were seven points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final day, and they’ll take that no problem.”