Why Chris Mepham thinks West Brom and Sunderland are "similar" | OneFootball

Chris Mepham helped Sunderland earn promotion last season before joining West Brom in the summer

Chris Mepham believes that West Brom share the same promotion ambition that Sunderland had during his time at the club.

The defender spent last season on loan with the Black Cats, playing a key role in their rise back to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old featured 38 times in the regular season, with Régis Le Bris’ side finishing fourth in the Championship table.

He also played in play-off semi-final and final victories over Coventry City and Sheffield United, with the Wearside outfit earning a return to the top flight.

However, upon the end of his loan spell, a permanent move to the Hawthorns was agreed instead of staying at the Stadium of Light.

Chris Mepham outlines Sunderland and West Brom similarity

Mepham believes that Sunderland and West Brom feel quite similar due to their ambition to earn a place in the Premier League.

He has claimed this is what led to him making the decision to sign for the Baggies, suggesting the two clubs share a lot of the same goals.

"It does feel similar and I think that's what attracted me to coming here," said Mepham, via Express & Star.

"The ambition to get promoted.

"Of course, Sunderland would have been the same, but I think at the back end of the season before they probably didn't finish that strong.

"There are a lot of similarities."

West Brom have made a solid start to the new Championship campaign under manager Ryan Mason.

The former Tottenham Hotspur coach has taken on his first role in management, and has overseen three wins from the team’s opening six league fixtures.

Mepham has played in the most recent three of those games, having arrived from Bournemouth late in the transfer window.

Next up for Albion is a home clash against Leicester City on 26 September in an 8pm kick-off at the Hawthorns.

West Brom could be in the promotion mix this season

Mason has made a promising start to life as a manager, with his West Brom side playing well and earning some very positive results.

The arrival of Mepham has been a boost to their defensive options, and his experience in gaining promotion could prove very valuable as the campaign progresses.

West Brom have every chance of being in the mix for a top six finish this year, particularly if Josh Maja can stay fit and continue scoring goals like he did in the previous campaign.

Mepham’s comments are very encouraging for supporters, and it is a show of faith in the project being built by the Midlands outfit, with the goal of returning to the Premier League being quite clear at this stage.