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For now, West Brom’s search for a new manager has taken a backseat. Rightly so, as the club are about to embark on what they hope will be a three-match run which sees them return to the promised land of the Premier League.
It’s an eventuality, however, that will likely have large ramifications for caretaker manager Jimmy Shan.
The 40-year-old currently has the reins until the end of the season but a more experienced coach or simply one with better qualifications could come in if the club go up.
The Sun on Sunday (May 5, page 59), claimed that Graham Potter was subject of interest from Albion. West Brom could end up paying £2m for his services according to the report, but given his history of developing players at both Ostersunds and Swansea, it would be a shrewd appointment.
If the Baggies go up and appoint Potter, then comparing his first season in the Allsvenskan – the top flight of Swedish football – is a good way to gather insight into how he might set up a newly promoted side.
On the chalkboard
Potter’s job with Ostersunds was nothing short of a miracle. He took what was a fourth division club when he walked through the door, all the way to the top division and Europa League football.
Therefore, if he arrives at West Brom, the future could be bright. Tactically, the 43-year-old has preferred a 4-2-3-1 formation with Swansea, but with Ostersunds, he had a habit of changing things.
After being promoted to the Allsvenskan, he started the 2016 season against Hammarby by deploying a 4-4-2 formation. Immediately after that, he changed things to a 3-4-3.
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It was a policy that he utilised numerous times whilst in Sweden and Potter’s ability to tinker might be something he uses to West Brom’s advantage should he rejoin the club over the summer.
In total, the Solihull-born manager switched between four formations, per Transfermarkt, during his first term in the Allsvenskan. He flitted between a regular 4-4-2 and a similar formation, but using a diamond midfield. Given the midfielders at West Brom’s disposal, this could be a cunning tactic.
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But, he also went with five and three at the back, something which matches Shan’s philosophy since he was given the managerial job.
Albion have been unpredictable for all the wrong reasons in previous Premier League campaigns. However, Potter’s tinkering with Ostersunds could make the Baggies a team who are harder to work out.
Of course, they’d need to be promoted first, but either way, appointing the Swansea boss would be a statement of intent.
