WBA can replicate Clarke masterclass by signing £6m machine who's "solid as a rock" - opinion

West Bromwich Albion failed in their first attempt to win promotion back to the Premier League after the Midlands club finished 10th in the most recent Championship season.

The Baggies won 18, drew 13 and lost 15 of their 46 matches, leaving them with 67 points on the board.

Despite this ultimately disappointing finish, one factor in their season in which they can take a bit of pride, and which Steve Bruce can use as a platform to build upon for next term, is their defence.

Albion conceded just 45 goals in the 2021/22 campaign, fewer than four of the nine teams who finished above them in the table.

One man who played a big part in this regard for the Baggies is Matt Clarke.

Signed on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Brighton, the centre-back made 33 league appearances for the Baggies in the most recent campaign. He even managed to round off his loan spell at The Hawthorns by scoring on the final day of the season in their 4-0 win over Barnsley.

However, it was his defensive contribution which made him a solid figure for the team.

Having racked up more interceptions (60) than any other Baggies player, the 25-year-old also won 33 tackles in total and averaged 3.1 clearances per game, the second-highest in the squad behind Kyle Bartley (four).

Now that the season has drawn to an end, the upcoming summer transfer window could give the West Brom hierarchy to replicate their masterstroke of bringing Clarke to the club by securing a deal for Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The Baggies were linked with a move for the Tottenham defender back in February.

During his recent loan spell with Celtic, with whom he secured the Scottish Premiership title, the American showed just how capable a defensive figure he is, a bit like