MANAGER

Tony Pulis

STAR MAN

Nacer Chadli

LAST SEASON

10th

TOP SCORER

Salomon Rondon (8)

KEY INS

Jay Rodriguez (Southampton, £12m), Ahmed Hegazi (Al Ahly, loan)

Jay Rodriguez

KEY OUTS

Craig Gardner (Birmingham, £1m), Darren Fletcher (Stoke, free)

REASONS TO BE POSITIVE

Pulis is not a flashy fashionista whose teams are going to play opponents to death, but they are solid and hard to beat.

REASONS TO BE PESSIMISTIC

A lack of investment hasn’t inspired fans, with the most high-profile arrival that of former manager Gary Megson as Pulis’ No2. After reaching the magical 40 point mark in February last season, the Baggies earned just five points from their final 12 games.

ONE TO WATCH

Injuries hampered Ahmed Hegazi’s progress at Fiorentina and the Egyptian defender will be keen to impress in a major European league and earn a permanent contract.

Ahmed Hegazi

EXPECTATION

After a top-10 finish for the first time in four years, a similar finish is eminently achievable.

REALITY

An uninspiring summer hasn’t exactly sparked the imagination of fans who saw their team tank the final three months of the season.