“Wouldn’t have much faith” – No signs of West Brom regret over Coventry City deal.

This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features unique perspectives from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, possible signings, and more…

West Bromwich Albion have begun the new Championship season in good form.

Carlos Corberan, one of the greatest managers in the second division, has led the Baggies into the second international break of the season in fourth position, despite failing to win any of their past three matches.

Nonetheless, striker Josh Maja has had a successful first two months at The Hawthorns. After replacing Brandon Thomas-Asante as West Brom’s primary striker, the 25-year-old has scored seven goals in his first nine outings, despite previous injury struggles.

Thomas-Asante joined Championship club Coventry City in the summer after two years at Albion. After receiving attention from Hull City and the Sky Blues, the former Salford City player moved to the CBS Arena for a reputed £2.5 million transfer fee.

West Brom have won out of the Thomas-Asante agreement.

Maja’s goal-scoring abilities, along with Thomas-Asante’s troubles at Coventry, have led to West Brom emerging as early winners of the trade, despite initial reservations about the choice.

The 25-year-old has only scored once in nine Championship appearances for his new club, despite being Albion’s strongest goal-scoring option before leaving in August.

Football League World questioned West Brom’s Fan Pundit, Callum Burgess, about life at The Hawthorns without their previous number 21.

“I think it’s fair to say, with the way that Josh Maja has started this season, that life without Brandon Thomas-Asante at West Brom is going pretty well,” his coach said.

“With Maja now leading the Golden Boot standings, I wouldn’t say we’re missing him. He’s quite clinical in front of goal, and he plays exceptionally well overall. There’s nothing to complain about, save perhaps having that option off the bench to give Maja a respite.

“But hopefully, with Daryl Dike returning soon, Albion can begin to ease Dike into the team, building up his fitness while also being able to give Josh Maja some rest that he’s not been able to get so far.”

Callum said that Albion had to rely on Karlan Grant to play up front against Millwall. While Grant is effective on the flank, he may not be the ideal striker for supporters to support.

“Devante Cole hasn’t had much of a look in either, but with those variables in mind, Albion hasn’t missed Thomas-Asante. While I always appreciated his 110% effort every week, he was a difficult finisher at best.

“He could score an incredible goal, but when he’s one-on-one in front of the goal, you don’t have much trust.

“The end result would be that Thomas-Asante not tucking the goal away, but Josh Maja might be on the end of one or two chances, and you’d have full faith that he’d be able to find the back of the net.”

Thomas-Asante has to start shooting soon.

While Baggies supporters will be unconcerned about their ex-forward’s performance, he does need to start scoring more frequently soon.

Coventry are now just above the relegation zone, a stark contrast to their last season in the Championship, where they competed in the top half of the division and even reached the play-off final in 2022/23.

However, with only two victories in nine games, supporters would have expected a better start, and more work is needed to bring the squad back up the table.

Thomas-Asante must also accept responsibility and get back among the goals, else his spot in the matchday squad may be jeopardised.

In his seventh appearance, his strike against Blackburn Rovers resembled his previous performances, but West Brom will not be disappointed.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk