West Brom face tough challenge

Megson is likley to lose star striker Lee Hughes

BBC Sport Online finds that there is a pressure of expectation on West Bromwich Albion.

West Bromwich Albion manager Gary Megson has the job of proving the club's impressive exploits last season were not a flash in the pan.

Megson took over a struggling West Brom in March 2000 and helped the Baggies avoid the drop on the final day of that campaign.

  Summer transfers

IN

Scott Dobie (Carlisle)

Warren Cummings (Chelsea loan)

OUT

Daryl Burgess (Northampton)

Jason van Blerk (Out of contract)

Matt Carbon (Out of contract)

He then instigated a stark turnaround in the fortunes of the Midlands outfit by leading them to sixth and a place in the play-offs last term.

The question now is whether West Brom can mount another promotion assault, especially if striker Lee Hughes departs.

Hughes struck up an impressive partnership with fellow frontman Jason Roberts last season as they scored 35 league goals between them.

Hughes was on target 21 times but, with one year left on his present deal, he has been put up for sale after failing to agree a new contract with the club.

Can Roberts take over from Lee Hughes?

Forward Scott Dobie has been signed and arrived in a £150,000 move from Carlisle.

Dobie is an unknown quantity at this level but Megson will be hoping that Roberts can step up a gear and take over Hughes' mantle.

Megson has played down his side's promotion chances and stated that avoiding relegation is the team's first priority.

That may be understating West Brom's capabilities as well as his own.

But one thing for certain is that strict disciplinarian Megson will extract maximum effort from his players.