"Worth the wait" - Pundit lauds "terrific" Josh Maja exploits at West Brom | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has spoken exclusively to FLW to offer his verdict on West Bromwich Albion's Josh Maja

Pundit and former England international midfielder Carlton Palmer has lauded Josh Maja for enjoying a sensational start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign with West Bromwich Albion.

The former Sunderland, Fulham and Stoke City frontman returned to England last summer by joining West Brom from Bordeaux but endured a nightmare debut season with the club which was plagued by injury. Maja started only once in the Championship and missed the majority of the previous term following two successive, and serious ankle injuries.

However, the 26-year-old made a full recovery and has since started the season in blistering form, plundering in a hattrick to inspire the Baggies' 3-1 victory away at QPR on the opening day.

Maja added his fourth league goal by scoring the winner in their 2-1 win over Stoke and appears poised to lead the line for Corberan's side, who are among just five teams to maintain an unbeaten streak after four games.

West Brom have won three of their opening four games, with the only exception being a commendable 0-0 draw at home to potential promotion rivals Leeds United on the second matchweek. They will be back in action following the international break with a trip to John Mousinho's Portsmouth on September 15.

Carlton Palmer offers Josh Maja, West Bromwich Albion verdict

Palmer has heaped praise upon both Maja and West Brom for the way in which they have started the season, believing that the confidence generated thus far will only hold them in good stead.

"Josh Maja and West Bromwich Albion have had a terrific start to the season, four goals after four games already is a terrific return and they continue where they left off last season, playing some really good football under Carlos Corberan," Palmer exclusively explained to Football League World.

"Maja, who had a horrific season last season, played 12 games and only scored one goal. He had a horrific ankle injury, which saw him miss [almost] the whole of the season.

"Admittedly, his opening day hattrick for West Brom was worth the wait. He joined last summer and suffered two ankle injuries, as I said he only scored one goal and started just one game away at Sunderland.

"He's apparently worked hard in the summer, came back early and came back with a bang. He's full of confidence at the moment and West Brom and Corberan in particular will be hoping that he can remain injury free and add the goals to his tally.

"It's brilliant when you start off the season with confidence, because when you start from confidence it can only go up from there. Corberan said he was really excited about Maja and that he can play a really big role for West Brom this season."

West Bromwich Albion's 24/25 fortunes may depend on Josh Maja availability

The Baggies are poised to enjoy another successful campaign under Corberan after finishing the previous season in fifth-place, although it is difficult to dispute that much will hinge upon the source of goals in the side.

Daryl Dike is perennially injured and is not expected to be back in action for some time yet, while there are question marks about whether new signing Devante Cole can make the step-up to the Championship at the age of 29 after spending most of his career in League One.

Following the sale of Brandon Thomas-Asante to Championship rivals Hull City, the Baggies will likely look towards Maja and last season's loan hero Mikey Johnston to supply the firepower.

Maja is the most gifted striker at Corberan's disposal and has shown signs of developing devastating chemistry with rising star Tom Fellows, who can provide pinpoint deliveries from the right-hand byline for the forward to head in.

With that in mind, it is essential for West Brom and their promotion hopes that Maja can enjoy a clean bill of health across the term and continue his white-hot form infront of goal.