I would bet that West Brom's overall budget now and for the next three years is greater than ours.
They have parachute payments for a start, which they can enjoy for another two seasons.
They have around £100m of playing assets accrued in the PL that can be sold as well.
They will have sponsorship deals negotiated in the PL yet to run out and a much higher commercial profile than us.
7 years in the PL takes its toll on academy recruitment as well, with strong young prospects favouring joining the big club. Who knows what they have waiting in the wings? We know we have Appiah and Gomis. They might be special but the odds are better for West Brom having better assets there than we do
Yes, they have spent less this summer and sold more. But after nearly £150m of spending over the previous three seasons, all on players for a higher level, does it not occur to you that perhaps their recruitment needs in dropping down a division might be significantly less than ours were after three relegation battles at this level?
West Brom have significant income streams. They may be tied up a bit in wages but that is mitigated partly by PP and a good sporting director will be able to shift those players off the books. They have plenty of playing assets that can generate funds, whereas frankly we are still wondering where the money etc is coming from