Tony Cascarino has suggested that West Brom would have gone up automatically if they hadn’t lost Harvey Barnes earlier in the season.
The 21-year-old hit nine goals for the Baggies before being recalled from his loan spell early by parent club Leicester City.
And Cascarino believes that had they kept him, Albion would have gone up as one of the Championship’s top two.
Speaking on talkSPORT (April 27th, 8.45am), he said: “That last [promotion] spot is up for grabs. If you look at West Brom, I think they’re dangerous.
“If they didn’t lose Harvey Barnes, I think they might have gone up automatically, West Brom.
“Gayle and Rodriguez, the goals that they get, I think West Brom could have easily [gone up automatically].”
OPINION
It might not have been as cut and dry as Cascarino is suggesting here, but certainly, had West Brom managed to retain Barnes beyond January, they would have been in a much healthier position than they currently are. That’s not to say that they don’t have a chance of going up still. They are one of the most potent attacking sides in the division, and the play-offs is an absolute lottery. Barnes was a standout performer in the league prior to his recall, and the force he managed to form alongside Gayle and Rodriguez was one of the most impressive outside of the Premier League. Albion never really recovered from losing him, and the question will constantly remain as to how different things might have been had they been able to convince Leicester to let him stay the whole season. On a personal level, going back to the top flight was the right move for Barnes, who has flourished in the top flight, but the Baggies could use him now more than ever.