Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray shares West Brom admission ahead of Championship opener

Tony Mowbray has referred to West Brom as a “huge club” ahead of the start of the new Championship season.

On page 59 of the Daily Mirror’s print edition on 4 August, the Sunderland boss spoke about the competition his side will be facing as they look to gain promotion to the Premier League after suffering play-off heartache last season.

But the former Baggies manager admitted there are a lot of “huge clubs” in the second tier ahead of the upcoming campaign and included Albion in that category.

“I think the league genuinely is stronger with Leicester, Southampton and Leeds,” said Mowbray.

“But even Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday are huge clubs with huge fan-bases, never mind Middlesbrough, Norwich, Watford and West Brom. It’s a tough league.”

More competitive

It’s clear to see Mowbray still has a lot of time for Albion after spending three successful years at the club between 2006 and 2009.

He’s right to put the Baggies in the huge-club category at Championship level and the additions of the three relegated sides, as well as Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday, has certainly added to that.

It wasn’t the strongest league last season after Burnely and Sheffield United both amassed more than 90 points to run away with promotion, while third-placed Luton secured their place in the top flight through the playoffs [Sky Sports].

But it certainly looks like being more competitive in the upcoming campaign as the relegated clubs have still managed to keep hold of some of their key players.

Carlos Corberan will be hoping he can propel his side up into the conversation as he looks to continuing strengthening his squad over the coming weeks to try and mount a promotion challenge.

In other West Brom news, the Baggies could be set to receive a windfall if a former player completes his expected transfer this summer.