Over the last ten years, West Bromwich Albion have developed a reputation for being something of a "yo yo" club, so having had one season in the Premier League, they could have been considered due a relegation.
However, Roy Hodgson had other ideas. The experienced tactician set the Baggies a target of joining the likes of Stoke City and Everton by establishing themselves as a mid-table side in the top flight.
So which way would it work out? Here is Sports Mole's assessment of how West Brom have fared so far this campaign.
August
Hodgson's business in the transfer market was typically shrewd, as he dealt mainly in free transfers and loan signings. His £6.8m capture of striker Shane Long from Reading was the only significant outlay, as he looked to partner the Irishman alongside Peter Odemwingie in a potentially dangerous front line.
On the pitch, the fixture list had dealt them a difficult start. Respectable defeats at the hands of Manchester United and Chelsea preceded a disappointing loss to Stoke at the Hawthorns.
Suddenly, despite not playing badly, the Baggies found themselves rooted to the bottom of the league with three losses from as many games.
September
An early Odemwingie strike gave them their first points of the season as they kicked September off with a 1-0 victory over Norwich City.
However, the West Midlands outfit failed to win again during the remainder of the month. They went down 3-0 to Swansea in the league before defeat to Everton in the Carling Cup and a 0-0 stalemate against Fulham.
October
October began with another draw as they surrendered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 result against Sunderland.
Consecutive derby victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, arguably the highlights of their campaign to date, followed to lift the Baggies out of the drop zone and up the table.
A 2-0 loss to Liverpool at the Hawthorns dampened spirits slightly but Hodgson could reflect on what was a positive month for his improving side.
November
Once again, they suffered defeat at the hands of one of the league's top six when they travelled to the Emirates Stadium and were beaten again by North London opposition when Tottenham Hotspur visited the Hawthorns.
In between those games, goals from Long and Jerome Thomas earned them a 2-1 triumph over Bolton, their only win of November.
December
Long was once again on the score-sheet as he netted a late winner to snatch West Brom a point against Queens Park Rangers, while strike partner Odemwingie's return to fitness coincided with positive results.
The Nigerian was among the goals as they beat Blackburn 2-1 at Ewood Park and again in another away victory, this time over Newcastle United.
A home defeat to Wigan Athletic was the only blip in a fine month which they ended by holding prolific Manchester City to a 0-0 stalemate.
Thanks in part to an excellent festive period, the Baggies occupy a top-half spot heading into the New Year. Five months into the season, it seems West Brom are a step closer to mid-table security than they are a relegation battle.
Joe Fish
