'Overachieving' - Former Wolves and Sunderland figure delivers verdict on West Brom and Carlos Corberan

Former Sunderland and Wolves striker Don Goodman believes that West Brom are 'overachieving' this season under Carlos Corberan.

The Baggies are currently fifth in the Championship and are on a high after beating Blackburn Rovers 4-1 at the weekend. A Midlands Derby against Wolves awaits at the end of the month, and right now the supporters have a team that they can resonate with.

The top four in the Championship consists of Leicester City, Southampton and Leeds United who were all relegated from the Premier League and are in receipt of parachute payments. Newly promoted Ipswich Town are the only side that are surprisingly in the mix however they've put a lot of investment in to the squad.

West Brom - who are 13 points off of the automatics but hold a five-point gap in the play-offs over seventh-placed Sunderland - have been dealing with loans and free transfers and right now are surprising everybody, including Don Goodman.

Goodman played for West Brom more than 150 times during the 1980s and also had spells at their rivals Wolves. He believes that there are better teams in the division than West Brom, but has hailed the work of Carlos Corberan and his Baggies squad.

"There is no doubt that they (West Bromwich Albion) are overachieving," said Goodman to Genting.

"There is no way they are the fifth-best team in the league and I say that with the greatest respect.

 “The results say they are because that's where they are in the league, but if I look at performances they are solid, resistant, difficult to beat, know how to win games of football and know how to implement tactical instructions from the master tactician Carlos Corberan. They are a really experienced group."

 “In terms of watching them, they are not the fifth-best team in the league. There are teams with better players that are below West Bromwich Albion, but they are finding a way to be genuine play-off contenders and they will be."

West Brom have had to be creative with transfers and have already done some bits of business this month. Andi Weimann has joined on a six-month loan from Bristol City and brings to The Hawthorn's a plethora of experience as well as leadership having been Robins captain.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman was already at Ashton Gate after being loaned out in August, and his move to the West Country has been made permanent, which will help with any cash flow issues this month. Javon Malcolm returned to the fold after a loan at Cheltenham Town whilst Modou Faal has gone out on loan again this time to nearby Walsall.

West Brom are operating with tight-knit squad and at times, injuries have wreaked havoc onto Corberan's plans. A slight bit of luck will be needed in keeping everyone fit, however they have already defied many peoples expectations right now.

Goodman added: "The worry is this lack of money (provided by the ownership). It's a huge worry and is like a dark cloud hanging over the football club. In the face of such adversity, Carlos Corberan and the players are doing a fantastic job."

 “With no money, the only option in January will be loan signings and they need to be creative. They need more bodies if they are to maintain their play-off status but they have given themselves one heck of a chance.

 “Before a ball was kicked in August, I never saw them being in this position.

“Fifth and sixth will be between West Brom, Sunderland, Hull, Coventry, Watford and Middlesbrough. Which is leaving out a few teams in the mix. Without being disrespectful to others, they are the teams I can see putting a run together at the back end of the season."