After Saturday’s outstanding win against top of the league Sunderland, our boys make the 400 mile round trip to the midlands this weekend to take on - you guessed it - top of the league West Brom.
They’re a side in blistering form, they’re a side pushing to get back into the top flight, and I’m sorry to tell you this, they’re a side we haven’t beaten since 1993.
BUT last week showed us that anything can happen in this extremely bizarre league we call the Championship (Leicester at home, anyone?).
So in preparation for this weekend’s giant killing (please), I chatted with the good people at @WBAReport to discuss the season so far, the season to come, and how WBA are firing on all cylinders and we how don’t really stand much of a chance. Enjoy.
You’re off to a great start. Unbeaten in 5, top of the league. What did you expect from this season before a ball was kicked, and what are you expecting now?
Expectations going into the start of this season weren't all too high initially. We'd sold the likes of Okay Yokuslu, Thomas-Asante, Townsend, etc, and didn't perform too well in pre-season friendlies, so at one point it really looked as if we'd taken a major step back. However, late on in the transfer window we brought in great replacements for those who left, and clearly, as our results show, we aren't weaker than we were last season.
We’re getting used to seeing you in the Championship now but you’ve actually spent 12 of the last 20 seasons in the Premier League. Is that where you belong? Is this the season you go back up? Are you ready for that?
Everyone wants to say their team belongs in the top flight, of course, but under our new owner Shilen Patel, the club looks far more organised. Our squad looks strong, and our manager is outstanding. I think we may end up in the Premier League next season.
Your gaffer - Carlos Corberan - is your longest serving (77 games) since Tony Pulis (121). What do the fans think of him? Is he here for the long haul?
Carlos Corberan has been a godsend for us. Naturally plenty of other clubs have taken a keen interest in him, but we know what we've got and I hope the board are as determined to keep him as the fans. The players speak highly of him, too.
Since 2010 you’ve had 19 managers to our 9, with most of ours opting to leave us for bigger (but not always better) things. What’s your view on the relatively rapid turnover of managers at the club?
A high turnover of managers is to be expected when the club were hiring the likes of Alan Pardew, Sam Allardyce, and Steve Bruce. It stunk of desperation and fans could immediately tell they weren't here for the long haul. Finally with Corberan we've got someone who seems invested in the long-term project here at the Albion, and all of us fully back him.
Any highlights of the season so far?
Our last game against Pompey was a real highlight; they really couldn't lay a glove on us, so to speak. An all-round top performance by the lads. It showed we mean business this season.
How was your pre-season? Any exciting incomings or outgoings?
I touched on this in the first question - our pre-season was a bit ropey, and spirits were dampened slightly by the outgoings and poor results. But it all turned round by the end of August and any issues soon fell away. The signing of Mikey Johnston from Celtic was a huge boost to morale; he was brilliant for us last season, and I don't think any of us expected him to return for this campaign. But when the news broke, I think we were all elated.
Where do you think you can cause us some problems on Saturday?
I think we'll cause you problems across the board. Our attack is in top form at the moment and morale is high. Josh Maja in particular is a huge threat to opposing sides this season, with five goals in five matches. Tom Fellows skips past full-backs like they aren't there and usually ends up with an assist to his name. And even at the other end of the pitch, Alex Palmer is keeping clean sheets for fun, and our backline looks very sturdy - Torbjorn Heggem at left-back has worked very well so far.
What about weak areas? Where should we be looking to exploit?
Quite frankly, I can't see any particular weak areas in our team yet. We've got off to such a brilliant start that any weaknesses have been largely overshadowed by our attacking prowess.
What’s your view on a game against Argyle at home this week? Must win? Should win? Potential banana skin? We just beat top of the league Sunderland to get our first win of the season.
Every game at The Hawthorns needs to be a win. If we want to realise our ambition of promotion this season, then yes, we need to strive for as many wins as possible. Your result against Sunderland definitely changed a few opinions about Plymouth after a rocky start to the season, but our fans will be confident that we can get all three points at our place.
Score prediction?
Score prediction: WBA 2-0 Plymouth