West Brom frontman just edges award - and there is faith he can improve

There was one piece of silverware on the line at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Albion frontman Aune Heggebo was presented with the club’s top goalscorer award after the 2-1 defeat at Hillsborough to sign off the campaign for James Morrison’s men.

It has certainly been a season of rollercoaster emotions for striker Heggebo.

There was no shortage of intrigue around the Norwegian when he checked in from hometown club Brann in a deal worth £4.7million last summer.

Nicknamed ‘The Hulk’ at his former club, he came with a promise of battling qualities and he has certainly delivered those in the Black Country.

His goal record in Norway’s Tippeligaen top flight suggested a capability in front of goal, albeit taking into account the probable difference in standard in the two nations.

Heggebo’s form in front of goal for the Baggies has been mixed at best - and his crown of top goalscorer comes with a reasonably underwhelming tally of 10 in all competitions, mostly from an incredible pre-Christmas hot streak of seven goals in seven games.

That stint went against the grain for Heggebo’s campaign overall. The striker netted once in Morrison’s 12 games.

He finished one clear of midfielder Isaac Price, who found form late on and was encouraged by Morrison to push for double-figures.

Heggebo’s record is in-keeping with what has gone before him at recent years at The Hawthorns.

Not since Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez’s superb 2018/19 double act of 46 goals combined, which failed to deliver promotion, has an Albion player managed 20 goals.

Karlan Grant, who could depart the club this summer as his contract expires, scored 18 in a poor 2021/22 campaign.

Brazilian star Matheus Pereira managed a creditable 12 in the Premier League in 2020/21, but since Grant’s haul Albion top scorers have been Brandon Thomas-Asante with nine, Thomas-Asante again with 12, Josh Maja with 12 and Heggebo with 10.

It is probably a return of paltry totals Albion need to improve on to land promotion.

Heggebo showed every inch of his finishing qualities in that purple patch between November and December.

Some of his goals were excellent near-post efforts, quickfire finishes giving defenders and the goalkeeper no chance. His header at Queens Park Rangers was one of the finest headers you will see in some time.

Obviously his form in front of goal either side of then in a dire season for the club must be improved on.

Former boss Ryan Mason was often at pains to stress Heggebo was playing through knee injury issues, particularly in the autumn, which blighted his settling in period.

In the striker’s favour will be the summer break ahead.

Heggebo could perhaps have an outside shot at Norway’s World Cup squad - though they feels highly unlikely even after he won two maiden caps late last year.

He had no break last summer as Brann’s season began in March and then he moved to Albion’s pre-season. He also appeared in all 46 Championship games - 37 as a starter.

In short Heggebo will be exhausted and is due a good break. Morrison tried to get him one where possible during the international break in March.

He and defensive colleague George Campbell are in a similar boat as the latter’s MLS season pre-Albion ran from February.

Heggebo can hopefully allow the rest to serve him well to improve in front of goal next time round.