[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

In the end, Premier League Syndrome does for every club without billions in the bank. You go up, you survive your first season through guts and grit and your second season through careful signings, but then comes the comfort zone. The players who were never really good enough get shipped out and replaced with talented journeymen. The players who did prove themselves simply find their level, and stop striving to be better. The real gems who could potentially fire you further up the league either get poached by the elite clubs, or throw a tantrum because you won't let them get poached. Soon, the only guys in the dressing room who really care what happens to the club are the long-time stalwarts, and there's never enough of them to change fate when the writing's on the wall.

Back in May, Premier League Syndrome finally caught up with us, and if we're truly to turn over a new leaf under Big Dave then we have to start with three points against visitors who suffered the dreaded PLS back when Albion were still swashbuckling our way into the Prem. It's been over six years since we last faced Bolton, and eight years since we locked horns with Forest, who are our first midweek opponents of the season. If we can renew these old acquaintances with four points, then in the circumstances I think we'll have done okay.