West Brom v Preston preview: Midfielder's "underachieved" belief amid play-off chase
Jayson Molumby has revealed the disappointment in Albion's dressing room having "underachieved" in the first half of the campaign.
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The managerless Baggies kickstart 2025 with a home clash against Preston on Wednesday when club legend Chris Brunt will get a rousing reception as he takes to The Hawthorns home dugout for the first time.
Brunt is assisted by Damia Abella, one of Carlos Corberan's former coaches who remains with Albion, and former Baggies goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.
Republic of Ireland international Molumby put in one of Albion's individual performances of the season at Sheffield United on Sunday where he put in one of his best performances for the club to earn the visitors a deserved point.
Molumby was part of a new-look two-man midfield involving Ousmane Diakite - on just the Malian's second league start - and the Irishman helped the Baggies and Diakite stabilise after the latter's early error to gift the Blades the lead.
Albion remain eighth with the draw, a point off the play-offs, which Molumby assessed as below-par for the squad.
"For us I feel we've underachieved this season, that's how we're looking at it because we believe in ourselves," Molumby said to BBC WM.
"I believe in everyone in there and we all believe in each other. We're a bit disappointed to be where we are but we're still hanging in there, still trying to pick up points and hopefully we can turn those into wins.
"We're there or thereabouts, hopefully we can take this momentum into the new year and kick off against Preston with a win."
Molumby was left clutching the man of the match trophy at full-time, but showered his midfield colleague Diakite with praise on a rare selection for the summer signing, who is now fighting to start again against Preston. Diakite did have to hobble off late on having been riddled with cramp.
The midfielder added: "I thought Ousey was brilliant, it was a tough game for him to come in, a second start in the Championship, coming away to Sheffield United, he was brilliant."
Mid-table Preston's visit will be Albion's third since the sudden exit of Corberan to his homeland and Valencia - and first fixture at home.
It is the fourth in the chaotic festive period of five games in 14 days. Corberan's final fixture was the 2-0 home win over Bristol City.
The Baggies drew 1-1 at Preston's Deepdale at the end of November. It was yet another in a series of draws that left a section of the away following audibly frustrated with Corberan's late changes and at the full-time whistle.
Molumby added of the former head coach's departure: "It's strange because no-one wanted him to leave, the respect was there, from the club and players he had a lot of respect from us.
"At the same time we look at it as exciting as well, with who can come in next and take us forward more."
Albion statistical analyst and coach Abella, a former Barcelona player, is a highly-respected coach and it is viewed as a boost for the Baggies he is still at the club. Though a permanent role moving forward could depend on the new head coach.
"Fair play to them, Damia was here all along and for Brunty and Boaz to take over and sacrifice plans, that's what it's about, that's why they're legends of the club because they care and give up their free time to help out," Molumby said. "That's the people they are."
