West Bromwich Albion captain George Campbell has said the club is "desperate" to return to the Premier League after a six-year absence, and that a play-off finish is the minimum expectation this season.
Strong Start Under Morrison
Albion sit fifth in the Championship after winning six and drawing three of their first 12 matches. James Morrison, appointed permanent head coach in the summer after an interim spell, has led the promotion push.
Ahead of Saturday's trip to third-placed West Ham, the Baggies are two points behind Swansea City in second and could move into the automatic places with a win at the London Stadium. Promotion would mark a return to the top flight for the first time since the Covid-affected 2020/21 season.
Campbell: 'We've Got a Real Chance'
Campbell, who joined from MLS side CF Montreal in 2025, told The Mirror: "I think that's everyone's dream (playing in the Premier League). Everyone at any Championship club, of course, the goal is to make the play-offs and to go up."
"And with this group, like I said, we've got a young group, a group that's very together. Yeah, I would say that's everyone's group. There's a lot of guys as well, like Jason [Roberts], for example, who has been here for four or five years who hasn't experienced that with West Brom. I think the general feeling is similar for everyone is that we're all desperate to go up. And I think this year we've got a real chance."
Summer Rebuild Pays Off
The club avoided relegation last season, finishing 21st. Summer recruitment lowered the average age, with 20-year-old Jimmy-Jay Morgan impressing after a £1.3million move from Chelsea, while Nolan Galves and Felix Horn Myhre are among other new signings making an impact.
High earners Alex Mowatt and Krystian Bielik were sold for fees, while Jed Wallace, Karlan Grant, Daryl Dike and Josh Maja left for free. Albion have collected 21 points from a possible 36.
Campbell said the group believes it is "a play-off team at the minimum" and that they have not dropped out of the play-off spots this season apart from one weekend. He added: "We need to just keep it going really and have a good head on our shoulders and not get too complacent really."
Morrison's Turnaround
Morrison replaced Eric Ramsay in February with the club facing relegation, then won four and drew six of the remaining 12 matches to finish four points above the bottom three. Campbell credited Morrison's knowledge of the club and players, saying he "knows everyone in and out and their best attributes, their best positions."
Next up is a trip to West Ham, who have scored 32 goals in 12 matches this season. Campbell, who has started all but one league game at centre-back, said facing the division's top scorers makes it "a more exciting game," noting he played against West Ham forward Taty Castellanos in MLS. He added: "The stadium is amazing. Everyone who has been there says that. I think everyone is going to be excited to play it."
