Southampton FC agreement could give West Brom promotion-winning duo | OneFootball

New West Bromwich Albion signing Adam Armstrong has performed exceptionally well under Baggies boss Tony Mowbray before

West Bromwich Albion are pushing to land a play-off spot for the second consecutive season, and still sit sixth in the Championship table despite last Saturday's 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle.

Amid the Baggies' battle for a top-six spot, new boss Tony Mowbray oversaw some fresh arrivals during the January transfer market, such as the acquisitions of midfielder Isaac Price on a permanent deal from Standard Liege, and young forward Will Lankshear on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

But Albion's most notable piece of business during the window which shut on Monday night was the late deadline day addition of striker Adam Armstrong on loan from Southampton.

Southampton may have handed West Brom a promotion-clinching combo

Armstrong scored just two goals in 20 Premier League outings for the Saints this season before the Baggies made their swoop for the 27-year-old's services.

But it is no secret that the former England Under-21 international is as prolific as they come at Championship level, and scored 21 goals in the second tier last term, helping his club win promotion to the top-flight via a play-off final victory over Leeds United.

In fact, during the 2023/24 regular season, only current Championship golden boot holder Sammie Szmodics scored more second tier goals than Armstrong.

Furthermore, the Saints man was the hero for his side in the play-offs, as he bagged a brace during their 3-1 semi-final victory over the Baggies, before scoring the only goal of last May's play-off final win against Leeds.

But arguably, the most exciting aspect of Albion's latest addition is that Armstrong has previously thrived under the stewardship of Baggies boss Mowbray.

During a 2015/16 loan spell with Coventry City, who were then managed by Mowbray, the striker notched a brilliant return of 20 goals and five assists in 40 League One outings.

The manager-striker duo then worked together at Blackburn Rovers, where Armstrong was equally devastating in the final third, ahead of making his move to the Saints in 2021.

The former Newcastle United man initially joined Rovers on loan midway through the 2017/18 season, and scored nine goals in 21 League One appearances, which helped the Lancashire outfit win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

He subsequently agreed permanent terms at Ewood Park during the summer of 2018, but struggled in front of goal in the second tier at first, scoring just five goals during the 2018/19 league campaign.

After that, though, Mowbray helped Armstrong become the Championship hotshot he is renowned for being today, as he went on to bag 16 goals during the 2019/20 second tier season.

The ace then notched an eye-catching tally of 28 goals in 40 league outings during the subsequent campaign, which was enough to convince the Premier League saints to snap up his signature.

Baggies supporters will expect Armstrong to hit the ground running

In recent years, the 27-year-old has established a reputation as one of the finest strikers at second tier level, so the Hawthorns faithful will hope that his services can fire them all the way to the top-flight, in what could be a repeat of his Saints exploits.

Meanwhile, Saturday afternoon's clash with Sheffield Wednesday, who have conceded 46 goals in 30 Championship games, could offer Armstrong an early opportunity to score his first Baggies goal.

Mowbray's coaching has clearly got the very best out of the former England youth international in the past, and if he hits those heights once again, it could be enough to book Albion's spot in next season's Premier League via the play-offs.