The Baggies round off their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a trip to the Weston Homes Stadium to face League One outfit Peterborough United. The Baggies head into their final friendly in confident mood after a convincing 4-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town last weekend, with Jimmy-Jay Morgan stealing the headlines by scoring twice. James Morrison’s side will be looking to build further momentum before the Championship season gets underway.
Tuesday saw West Bromwich Albion strengthen their squad with the signing of French right-back Nolan Galves, who joined from Ligue 2 side Rodez AF on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £700,000.
However, Albion missed out on one of their primary transfer targets, Danny Imray. The full-back, who impressed during his loan spell at The Hawthorns in the second half of last season, completed a £5 million move from Crystal Palace to Wrexham earlier this week.
The Baggies remain active in the transfer market and are reportedly interested in Norwegian midfielder Felix Horn from Brann, the former club of Aune Heggebø. Albion face competition from La Liga outfit Elche, who have already submitted an offer, while West Brom are yet to make an official bid.
We have endured a relatively quiet spell in the transfer market following the early June arrivals of Jimmy-Jay Morgan from Chelsea, Barney Stewart from Falkirk and Carter Pinnington from Liverpool. However, activity has picked up this week, with the Baggies being linked to several new targets.
One of the most eye-catching rumours is a move for Southampton striker Cameron Archer, with Albion reportedly prepared to offer more than £5 million to secure his signature. The club have also been credited with an interest in Aston Villa youngster George Hemmings as they continue to strengthen the squad ahead of the new Championship campaign.
Putting the transfer rumours to one side, I’ve been really impressed with Jimmy-Jay Morgan, especially after his performance against Shrewsbury Town. He looked sharp, took his goals well, and already seems like one of the players to watch for Albion this season. If he can carry that form into the Championship, he could prove to be a very important signing.
That’s why I’m a little surprised by the reported interest in Cameron Archer. While there’s no doubt Archer is a talented striker, I already feel confident in the forwards we have at the club. Instead of spending a significant fee on another striker, I think that money would be better invested elsewhere.
Missing out on Danny Imray was a disappointment, and I would have preferred the club to put more resources into completing that deal. If not at right-back, then strengthening the midfield should be the priority. Bringing in another quality midfielder would give the squad more balance and provide the creativity and control we’ll need over a long Championship season.
Player to Watch – Peterborough United
Peterborough United have plenty of attacking talent, but the player I’ll be keeping the closest eye on this Saturday is Harry Leonard.
The striker enjoyed an excellent campaign last season, scoring 16 goals in 37 appearances, and it’s no surprise that many are already tipping him to be among the favourites for the League One Golden Boot this season. He’s a natural finisher who knows where the goal is and has the movement to trouble any defence.
From an Albion perspective, Leonard is exactly the sort of player who worries me going into this game. I think he’ll be the biggest threat to our chances of coming away with a win on Saturday, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got himself on the scoresheet.
Looking beyond this friendly, he’s also someone I believe Albion should be looking at in the transfer market. Personally, I’d much rather see the club move for Harry Leonard than spend a significant fee on Cameron Archer. Leonard has shown his quality, has plenty of potential to develop further, and could be a great partner for Jimmy-Jay Morgan. The pair already know each other’s game from their time together at Peterborough, and that understanding could be a real asset if they were reunited at The Hawthorns.
Whether Albion are interested or not remains to be seen, but if Leonard performs as I expect on Saturday, he could give the club even more reason to keep an eye on him.
Player to Watch – West Brom
If there’s one Albion player to keep an eye on this Saturday, it’s Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
The summer signing from Chelsea has enjoyed a superb pre-season and already looks like one of the standout performers in the squad. Morgan has scored four goals in his last three appearances, including an impressive brace in the 4-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town, where he showed exactly the type of striker Albion fans can look forward to watching this season.
Saturday’s fixture also carries extra significance for the 20-year-old as he comes up against his former club, Peterborough United. Having enjoyed a successful spell there, he’ll no doubt be eager to make an impression against familiar faces. With his confidence sky-high after an excellent pre-season, he’ll surely be backing himself to score again and finish his preparations for the new Championship campaign on a high.
There’s also been plenty of excitement among supporters on social media over the past week, with some fans jokingly dreaming about Romelu Lukaku making a sensational return to The Hawthorns. While that remains firmly in the realm of fantasy, I genuinely believe Albion may have found their own new version of Lukaku in Jimmy-Jay Morgan—this time as a permanent signing, 14 years after Lukaku first arrived on loan. It’s a big comparison, but Morgan has already shown the confidence, goalscoring instinct and potential to become a real fan favourite.
I expect him to be Albion’s biggest attacking threat against Peterborough, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him add to his impressive pre-season tally against his former club.
Line Up V Peterborough United
This is the starting XI I expect to be closest to Albion’s strongest side heading into the new Championship season.
In goal, I’ve gone with Max O’Leary. There have been rumours linking Alex Palmer with a return to The Hawthorns on loan, but I’ve been impressed with O’Leary since he arrived, particularly with his performances towards the back end of last season. I think he’s done enough to earn the number one spot.
At the back, I’d hand a debut to new signing Nolan Galves at right-back. In the centre of defence, Chris Mepham and George Campbell would be my preferred partnership, while last season’s Player of the Season, Callum Styles, starts at left-back.
In midfield, I’d go with Mamadou Diakité and Alex Mowatt in the middle of the park. Mowatt’s experience and quality on the ball, alongside Diakité’s energy and defensive work, could provide a strong balance. Out wide, Ollie Bostock and Isaac Price would offer creativity, pace and plenty of attacking threat.
Leading the line, I’d stick with a front two of Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Aune Heggebø. Morgan has been in outstanding form throughout pre-season, while Heggebø’s physical presence and finishing ability could make the pair a dangerous partnership. If they can build an understanding early, they have every chance of becoming one of the Championship’s most exciting strike duos.
Prediction V Peterborough United
It’s time for my prediction as West Bromwich Albion round off their pre-season campaign with a trip to face Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium.
I think this will be an entertaining game between two sides who like to attack. Peterborough have plenty of quality going forward, and Harry Leonard is the player I’ll be watching most closely. His goalscoring record speaks for itself, and I believe he’ll cause Albion’s defence plenty of problems. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got himself on the scoresheet.
At the other end, Jimmy-Jay Morgan heads into the match full of confidence after an excellent pre-season. Returning to face his former club only adds another layer to the occasion, and I expect he’ll be determined to continue his goalscoring form. It’s a fascinating battle between two young strikers, and whichever of Leonard or Morgan has the bigger impact could well decide the outcome of the game.
Although the result isn’t the most important thing in pre-season, building momentum before the Championship campaign begins certainly is. Albion have looked sharp in recent weeks, particularly in attack, and I’d like to see another positive performance to end preparations on a high.
My Prediction: Peterborough United 2-3 West Bromwich Albion
Goalscorers: Jimmy-Jay Morgan (2), Aune Heggebø.
I think Harry Leonard will show exactly why he’s one of League One’s most dangerous forwards by scoring twice, but Jimmy-Jay Morgan will once again be the standout player. Returning to face his former club, I expect him to continue his outstanding pre-season form with a brace, while Aune Heggebø also gets on the scoresheet as Albion end pre-season with a confidence-boosting win in a 3-2 scoreline.