"I love that" - Sky Sports pundit issues Josh Maja claim as West Brom shine under Corberan | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman spoke exclusively to FLW about West Bromwich Albion and Carlos Corberan

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has lauded Carlos Corberan for directing West Bromwich Albion's positive start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign.

The Baggies were denied of an improbable return to the Premier League by losing out over two legs to Southampton in last season's play-offs, although they subsequently enjoyed an encouraging summer transfer window and now appear even better placed to compete for promotion.

Across the course of the window, West Brom signed the likes of Thøborjn Heggem, Uros Racic and last season's loan hero Mikey Johnston from Celtic alongside striking promising loan agreements for Lewis Dobbin and Paddy McNair.

Despite losing some key players in Cedric Kipre, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Okay Yokuslu, the Baggies ultimately managed to retain rising star Tom Fellows despite late reported transfer interest from Southampton and Ipswich Town.

Fellows has been instrumental to his side's strong initiation to the season, where they have claimed victories over Swansea City, Stoke City and QPR, earned a hard-fought home draw against Leeds United and are one of just five teams to remain unbeaten in the Championship after four matches.

Such a rich vein of early-season form has propelled them to second-place in the league standings and it may well continue, according to Goodman.

Don Goodman's West Brom, Carlos Corberan praise following strong 24/25 start

Goodman has commended popular Spanish boss Corberan for his side's start to the season, which he believes has every chance of continuity.

"There are two words as to why West Bromwich Albion are doing well. They are Carlos Corberan," Goodman explained.

"With the exception of Thøborjn Heggem at left-back, he's working with pretty much the exact same team as last year.

“The difference is Josh Maja, who got off to a fantastic start on the opening day at QPR and looks like a proper striker and a real handful. What I loved was, against Swansea, Maja won his team the game by being unselfish and squaring the ball to Jayson Molumby."

"That's a striker who is in form and is seeing the bigger picture. I love that.

“Karlan Grant has had a resurgence and I knew Tom Fellows would have a big season, it's no surprise that Premier League clubs are sniffing around.

“It seems to me that Albion want to control the ball more than previously under Corberan. It's a little different from how they've played under him and they absolutely dominated Swansea in the first-half.

"It's looking good, despite being different. He's coached the team in a different way, while retaining their ability to be resolute and solid. The balance is good and while it's too early to be certain about anything, it's looking good for West Brom.

"Mikey Johnston is a phenomenal signing and it's encouraging to know that while he had options elsewhere, he chose to come back to West Bromwich Albion.

“The fact that Heggem has established himself already, the fact that Uros Racic got minutes on Saturday [against Swansea] and the fact that Johnston has returned, means it all looks pretty good. Especially when before a ball was kicked you were pretty worried for West Brom.

"It's been a solid start and long may it continue."

The Baggies will be back in action following September's two-week international break when they travel to Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon.

Newly-promoted Portsmouth have proved largely hard to beat thus far - except from their recent 3-1 defeat to Sunderland - but Corberan and co may still fancy their chances.

After that, West Brom will head back to the Hawthorns to host Plymouth Argyle the following weekend, which surely represents a fixture they should be claiming maximum points from. Sheffield Wednesday also await before home matches against Middlesbrough and Millwall to start off October.

Overall, West Brom have an encouraging run of matches to build upon their strong start and generate further momentum heading into the hectic winter schedule, and there is little to suggest that Corberan's side are going to fall away anytime soon.