So West Bromwich Albion are still chugging along, minding their own business as a solid Premier League outfit never truly likely to be dragged into the treacherous waters of a relegation battle.
The Baggies are over their early season blip that saw them lurking towards the foot of the table and are now occupying the mid-table positions they know and love.
Tony Pulis is as ferocious as ever on the touchline, enraging the likes of Jurgen Klopp, and Saido Berahino is still sulking. Darren Fletcher is enjoying a renaissance of late after valiantly overcoming his battle with illness and it looks to be another solid season in the Midlands.
James McClean is still doing his best to alienate as many neutrals as possible, despite a series of impressive performances since a summer move from Wigan.
Aside from the aforementioned Berahino, from the outside at least, everyone appears to be happy campers at the Hawthorns.
So, how far can they go? Aiming to finish in the top half should be on the agenda for the club, while a decent run in the FA Cup can never go amiss.
How will they get there? Perhaps with these three ins and these three outs…
IN: ANDROS TOWNSEND – (SPURS)
The 24-year old England international has been linked with just above everyone as it becomes crystal clear he will be departing North London over the next few weeks.
However, the Baggies could potentially hold the key to the deal. Reports suggest they could swap disgruntled forward Berahino for Townsend in a £14m deal to land the England international. This would be a move that works for all parties, as Pulis swaps a player who clearly doesn’t want to be there for a man who was a regular in the national side not long ago.
With the likes of Salomon Rondon and Rickie Lambert up front, Townsend could help provide ammunition for the pair, as well as goals of his own after cutting inside and shooting from range.
Pulis is known for tendency to use wingers in a more traditional sense and a move to the Hawthorns could be exactly what the ex-QPR loan star needs to get his career back on track.
IN: MATHIEU DEBUCHY – (ARSENAL)
Mathieu Debuchy is reportedly keen to leave Arsenal this month after losing his place to speed Spanish sensation Hector Bellerin for the past year or so. The 30-year old has since been linked with a loan move to the Hawthorns in an effort to stake a claim in the French squad for Euro 2016.
Craig Dawson has often been utilised as a right-back this term and Cristian Gamboa has struggled to adapt to life in the English game. So, there certainly is room for the former Newcastle man in this squad.
While he’s not the most stoic of defenders, the Frenchman is an effective attacking option and definitely an improvement on what Pulis already has as it his disposal.
IN: FEDERICO FAZIO – (SPURS)
Despite seeing a summer switch break down, Federico Fazio has again been linked with a move to West Brom after slipping down the pecking order in this new look Tottenham Hotspur setup.
The Argentine has never really kicked on in England, but perhaps a move to the Hawthorns would do him a world of good. Pulis is renowned for his defensive work, and the 28-year old certainly has talent to work with.
Jonny Evans has been excellent since moving from Manchester United in the summer, perhaps Fazio could replicate the same sort of improvement after a fresh start.
OUT: JAMES CHESTER
Despite only arriving in the summer, Welsh international James Chester has already vented his frustration at the bit part role he’s been given under Pulis. Unable to get into the team as either a right-back or a centre-half, the former Hull man has lost some of his momentum picked up last term despite his side’s relegation.
As Euro 2016 fast approaches, the 26-year old may look to move elsewhere in order to get himself ready for what is likely to be the most important tournament of his professional career. Perhaps a loan switch to the Championship would help him get back into the swing of things.
OUT: SAIDO BERAHINO – (SPURS)
The bad-boy Baggie is far more trouble than he’s worth when not scoring. The failed move to Tottenham over the summer seems to have had a resounding effect on the 22-year old, though none of it positive.
Just three goals in 14 appearances has seen his stock plummet, as the England under-21 ace struggles for form and fitness. Clearly unhappy, perhaps an argument could be made for his sale.
While the Young Lion is without a doubt a wonderful talent, the problems surrounding him at this moment in time are doing more harm than good. Should they receive upwards of £20m for him, or grab a player in exchange, the pros would surely outweigh the cons should his attitude continue to stink.
OUT: CALLUM MCMANAMAN – (DERBY)
It’s not really gone to plan for Callum McManaman since moving from Wigan almost a year ago. The 24-year old former England youth international has struggled to hold down a regular place with the club, making only 10 league appearances since his switch last January.
Promotion chasing Derby are understood to be casting a watchful eye over proceedings, as they look to apply the finishing touches to their squad heading into the business end of the campaign. The winger is a talent, an exciting one when he initially broke through, but his career has stalled as the lucrative Premier League attracts higher level talent, even to West Brom.
Perhaps a drop down into the second tier will be good for the player, oh and sorting out his tendency to dive.
