Jonny Drury: Is promotion essential for West Brom this season?
Albion's quest for a return to the promised land of the Premier League hasn't gone as planned in recent seasons.
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Since Albion slipped back into the Championship in 2021 - they have endured their longest stint in the second tier since the turn of the millennium.
Ever since promotion to the top flight in 2001, they have only had two consecutive seasons in the Championship.
Currently, they are in their fourth Championship campaign since that relegation in 2021 - with last season's play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton coming on the back of tenth and ninth placed finishes.
In the first couple of seasons back in the second tier, the aim was automatic promotion but as financial struggles off the pitch under the previous ownership began to intensify, the expectations began to wane.
At one point, section of the fanbase were worried about relegation, with Carlos Corberan taking over from Steve Bruce with Albion sitting in the relegation zone.
During the Spaniard's time in charge, it was all about pushing for a play-off spot and no more.
But the more pressing matter was the off field issues, which were resolved when Shilen Patel and Bilkul Football completed their takeover of the club a year ago.
