England PodJockey Mike Adams, feels that West Bromwich Albion have been living proof that you don't need to play route one to get out of the Championship and feels the tactics deployed by Mowbray will give the Baggies a greater chance to stay in the Premier League.

The issue of the gap in standards between the Premiership and Championship has been rumbling for a while now and after watching West Brom all season, I have come to a conclusion that the problem is mainly down to the Championship sides themselves, rather than the rich greedy Premiership bullies to which the ills of the world are regularly attributed.

Obviously money is a big factor in terms of the players that can be brought into the club for a Premiership assault, but in recent seasons Fulham, Reading and Wigan were all able to hold their own in their first season up.

These were all teams that played a passing game where possession was the aim of their strategy rather than immediately planting the ball in the oppositions half of the pitch. The major problem with the Championship is that most teams set themselves up to batter their way out of the league. West Brom (under Megson), Watford and now Derby are key examples. All played a physical 1-0, attritional style of play which got them out of the Championship but then was completely useless in the Premier League. I have watched team after team this season come to the Hawthorns and launch long balls into the penalty area, nick a goal and then plant 10 men on the edge of their area. Admittedly, at times has been effective against us and it can get you promoted over the course of a season. However, this tactic will never ever work in the Premier League.

The play-off defeat to Derby last season was depressing for several reasons, firstly we lost, secondly we had too many players who thought they were better than they were and thirdly (and for me the most painful) it was obvious that Derby would never be able to compete this year. I don't mean that as a slight against Derby but as an observation, to the style of play that had to be employed to get promoted.

The issue of finance does come into play at Championship level and Albion were pre season favorites based on the money they spent on transfers.

I would argue though that whilst Chris Brunt and Leon Barnett cost around three million pounds each, neither have been first tem regulars all season. Robert Koren however, has been outstanding all year and was signed on a free transfer from a Norwegian first division side. This in some way highlights the point that there players are out there that will not cost fortunes as long as you can attract them to your club. The real key to our relative success so far this season has been a manager in Tony Mowbray, who is committed to possession football.

It will unsurprising if, when Hull or Stoke (or both) get promoted, they get about 10 points between them next year. I will feel a degree of empathy for the fans as it is a horrible experience knowing you are going to lose every week, but the writing is already on the wall for these clubs.

Championship teams have to start planning for the Premiership, well before they get there. Collectively the teams in this league need to alter their mindset and deliver some free flowing football that will not only add to the market value of the league but enhance the reputation of the individual sides, increasing ticket sales and make the transition to the Premier much more achievable.

Now as Albion aren't there yet I'm not making any predictions about how we will or won't get on should we be promoted. I am really hopeful that if we do make it we are in a better position to compete than in previous years.

It could still transpire of course that the HOOF is the only way out of the Championship in which case the gulf will keep widening and the Premier League will continue to be blamed and this article is null and void.

It doesn't have to be like this though, honestly.