West Bromwich Albion are confident of signing midfielder Toby Collyer on a permanent deal from Manchester United. The 22-year-old spent part of last season on loan at The Hawthorns. (The Sun), external
Jonny Drury
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesWe've been here before only 12 months ago.
Albion with a flying start to the campaign, winning games and getting points on the board early.
In fact it has been the case for the past three seasons, under both Carlos Corberan and Ryan Mason.
It is happening again under James Morrison, with two league wins, a cup victory and a battling display at Newcastle United on Wednesday evening.
It is a start not many fans could have envisaged at the end of last season.
Among many it will very much be a case of keeping feet well and truly on the ground. We can't forget that Albion flew out of the traps last season - only to be sucked into a relegation battle.
Despite there quite rightly being a mindset of not getting too carried away, we've already seen something very different about this Morrison side.
Adaptability, and the ability Morrison and his side seem to have in terms of not being one dimensional.
In both league games and the Newcastle trip, they have shown that they can sit in, soak it up, be hard to beat.
On the other hand, they've shown they can dominate the ball with purpose and create chances, like they did in their superb victory over Burnley.
And they have also displayed that they have the quality to hurt teams on the counter attack, like they did against Norwich and at times up at Newcastle.
Under previous managers, they have been too one dimensional, accused of not being able to a show a plan B or C.
In this small sample size, we have already seen Morrison and his charges are able to do that.
Albion fans know not to get carried away given what has gone on before - but although this terrific start is a throwback to recent seasons, something seems a bit different under Morrison.
West Brom are hoping to make it three wins from three at the start of a league season for the first time in 29 years when they visit Middlesbrough on Saturday (12:30 BST).
Boro went down 2-1 at Blackburn last weekend having opened the season with a victory over Lincoln City by the same scoreline.
Middlesbrough have won each of their past five league games against West Bromwich Albion and are only on a longer active winning streak in the Football League against Bolton Wanderers (8) and Birmingham City (7).
West Bromwich Albion have won just three of their past 28 away league matches against Middlesbrough (D7 L18), going winless in five (D1 L4) since a 1-0 victory in October 2019.
Middlesbrough have won each of their past three home league games in succession after defeating Lincoln 2-1 on the opening day, Boro last enjoyed a longer winning run at the Riverside Stadium between December 2022 and March 2023 (seven wins).
After defeating Norwich City and Burnley so far, West Brom will be hoping to win their opening three matches of a league campaign for the first time since 1997-98.
Across the opening two matchdays of the 2026-27 Championship season, West Brom's Jimmy-Jay Morgan is the only player to record multiple assists (2), while across all competitions his five goal contributions in total (three goals, two assists) are the most of any Championship player.
Outfield players in goal & problems for Leicester
Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Tranmere Rovers boss Darrell Clarke to discuss the big stories in the EFL in the latest episode of the 72+ podcast.
Clarke explains how his defender Bobby Faulkner ended up in goal against Port Vale on Saturday and the panel discuss Bobby Kamwa's Emmanuel Adebayor-esque celebration against his former club Newport County.
Millwall, Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion are the early pace-setters in the Championship, while Leicester City are already struggling in League One, but will boss Russell Martin be given the time to turn it around?
Listen to the full episode above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to the brand new 72+ channel to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Chris Hall
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIsaac Price scored twice for West Brom in their 3-1 victory over Burnley
Quite a few people will be raising an eyebrow at West Brom's perfect start to the Championship season.
They should not be because recent history shows Albion are awesome in August.
They are now unbeaten in their past 11 league games in August, spanning four different seasons.
You have to go back to the opening day of the 2023-24 campaign to find the last time Albion lost a Championship match in August, a 2-1 defeat by Blackburn.
However, those great starts have not counted for much in the grander scheme of things.
In 2024-25 they were unbeaten in their opening six league games, winning five of them, but won just one of their next 13 matches. They finished ninth that year.
Last season the drop-off was more dramatic.
After beginning the season with three wins and a draw, the Throstles won only six of the next 33 Championship matches, a run which cost both Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay their jobs, and nearly got the Baggies relegated.
So are we experiencing the same false dawn we've endured the past two seasons?
I do not think so.
Two seasons ago Albion's goalscoring was heavily reliant on two players. In the first half a dozen games, Josh Maja scored 60 per cent of the goals and over half of the assists were provided by Tom Fellows.
It was clear any dip in form or an injury for either of those players would heavily impact the season, and so it came to pass.
Maja had his season ended in January, while Fellows became a marked man and managed only four assists after the turn of the year.
That does not seem to be the case this year.
James Morrison's fluid system allows different players to get into goalscoring positions at different times.
The Baggies have scored five goals with four different scorers so far. While Jimmy-Jay Morgan can boast the bulk of the assists, Harry Whitwell and Isaac Price are hot on his heels, suggesting there will not be an over-reliance on the former Chelsea man.
Then there is the context around last season's deterioration. Simply put, we sold some of our best players after our good start.
Tom Fellows, Torbjorn Heggem and Darnell Furlong all played minutes in that excellent start, only to depart before the transfer window closed.
This summer it seems Albion are trying to keep their best players and to add to a high-performing squad before the window shuts, not to weaken it. There are discussions with Isaac Price and Harry Whitwell over new contracts, while Albion are linked with a host of potential new signings.
However, James Morrison needs the club to make some of those potential reinforcements a reality if this form is to be maintained.
The current squad is wafer-thin, with the departure of Alex Mowatt, a ludicrous suspension for Aune Heggebo and an injury to Mikey Johnston not helping matters.
If the club can help Morrison with the proper additions, there is every chance he can succeed where his predecessors failed in making a good start more than just a flash in the pan.
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter 20-year-old Harry Whitwell and 22-year-old Isaac Price both scored to help West Bromwich Albion to a 3-1 victory over Burnley, Baggies legend Tony 'Bomber' Brown said the pair's performances give him hope for the side's future prospects.
"There's a freshness about this Albion side," Brown told BBC Radio WM.
"As a youngster you want to play, it's like in the school playground, and that's what it's like with these youngsters in this Albion side at the moment. They want to drive forward at every opportunity.
"The crowd have responded to it. They are enjoying it, they are loving what they are seeing.
"I know it's only a couple of games in but it's refreshing and the future looks more rosy at the moment."
Listen to the full reaction below or on BBC Sounds here.
Bomber: 'Great team performance'
Explore more West Bromwich Albion content on BBC Sounds
We asked for your thoughts after West Bromwich Albion came from behind to beat Burnley at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
Here are some of your comments:
West Brom fans
Paul - Super team effort, every player played well.
Russell - Great performance, especially to come from a goal down. It's a great start. We know there's a long, long way to go but we have something to build on.
Colin - Super energetic and disciplined display by the Baggies. Great to watch Isaac Price get on the scoresheet. Well played West Brom.
Nick - Best all-round performance I've seen in a long time. Didn't look panicked after going behind and the attack was beautiful to watch. Ousmane Diakite deserves special mention. His passing, dribbling, tackling and effort were all on display and his ball recovery reminded me of a decent player who drove his Mini to Leicester City. Very early and such a small sample size, but after a trying season last year there's so much to smile about right now.
Image source, Getty ImagesBurnley fans
Tom - Abysmal. Burnley should know by now that with only one goalscorer you are certainly dead in the PL and probably in the Championship too. Combine that with routinely gifting the opposition at least one early goal and you are likely to be facing relegation by the end of the season. The new manager looks an improvement but so would I have been.
Sam - Sad to see players pulling out of challenges and not working hard. Burnley's identity was once about running sides off the park and playing gritty, effective football. We've now accumulated PL and European academy prospects that don't have the fight or the nous to represent our club.
Hugh - Very worried by the reversion to familiar faces here - Josh Laurent, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Armando Broja. Kyle Walker maybe most of all - his pace is gone and that was his cheat code. His positioning, passing, and aerial ability just aren't up to it. Broja isn't interested and isn't any good anyway. I'd play literally anyone else up top.
Gareth - We gave the ball away cheaply, poor first touches, sloppy passes and we failed to win challenges. We made it easy for West Brom to come from behind and beat us convincingly. But at least we are now moving the ball forwards, rather than side to side and backwards (ie Parker-ball). But we still need to clear out the dross - Broja, Zeki Amdouni et al
Derby are keen on a loan move for West Brom and Republic of Ireland winger Mikey Johnston, 27, and Ipswich and Albania attacking midfielder Anis Mehmeti, 25. (Alan Nixon, via subscription, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.
These sides will go into Sunday's game at The Hawthorns (12:00 BST) full of confidence.
West Brom opened the campaign with a 2-1 win at Norwich City while Burnley came from 2-0 down at home to West Ham to claim a draw at Turf Moor.
West Bromwich Albion are winless across each of their past seven league games against Burnley (D5 L2), since a 1-0 away win on matchday two of the 2017-18 Premier League campaign.
Burnley lost each of their first six away meetings with West Bromwich Albion this century but are unbeaten in their most recent four, drawing each of the past three (W1).
After beating Norwich 2-1, West Brom are looking to win the opening two games of a league campaign in successive seasons. Prior to that, West Brom had completed the feat just once since 1998-99 onwards (2017-18).
Burnley went unbeaten in each of their final 16 Championship away games en route to promotion in 2025 (W11 D5) and only three teams have had longer runs in the competition's history (since 2004-05): Leicester City (20, ending in Oct 2023), Hull City (17, ending in April 2011) and Reading (17 ending in Feb 2006).
Since the start of 2024, West Brom have won just one of their 14 league games against sides relegated form the Premier League the season prior (D8 L5), though are unbeaten across their last six at home (W1 D5).
Luton's dramatic comeback & VAR in the Championship?
Bolton won on their return to the Championship, but how can they compete with their big-spending rivals?
Listen to the newest episode of the 72+ podcast as Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Bolton manager Steven Schumacher to break down the opening weekend of league fixtures in the EFL.
The panel also discuss Will Lankshear's dream start at Middlesbrough, how Southampton will deal with being pantomime villains after Spygate and whether VAR is needed in the Championship after a blatant handball helped West Bromwich Albion beat Norwich.
Plus, Jack Wilshere joins the pod after his Luton side came from 3-1 down to beat Reading in their opener, and he talks about his first pre-season as a first-team boss.
Listen to the full episode above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to the brand new 72+ channel to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Williams: 'Hopefully you'll see more from me' Audio, 6 minutes
Albion defender Alex Williams reflects on their narrow defeat at Newcastle United.
Morrison: 'We went to the end, that's all we can ask' Audio, 5 minutes
The Baggies head coach looks back at the narrow defeat against Newcastle.
Morrison: 'It's a challenging week for me' Audio, 9 minutes
Albion head coach James Morrison speaks ahead of trips to Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
Price: 'We wanted to excite the crowd today' Audio, 7 minutes
Baggies midfielder speaks after home win against Burnley.
