Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has told West Brom they need at least "four or five" players in the January transfer window if they are to have any hope of beating the drop.
The Baggies completed a move for Robert Snodgrass on Friday as Sam Allardyce made his first significant capture of the window by paying West Ham an undisclosed fee for his services.
While fans were quick to commend the winger's arrival, former Leeds striker Whelan has said that is the very least they need if they are to have any chance of remaining in the top flight.
"Look, this isn't gonna save West Brom, let's get that straight," Whelan told Football Insider.
"West Brom are going to be getting a lot of player there for whatever they're going to be paying.
"It will help them, it might guile the other players around with him being there, with him being experienced, it's just a better move for Snodgrass than it is for West Brom.
"It's not going to save them, that's my issue here. They're bringing in a really experienced player that's going to bring some quality to the side, but it's not enough.
"It's not enough, they need to go buy four or five players if they're to give themselves even a glimmer of a hope."
Allardyce is believed to want a centre-back as one of his next arrivals, but a move for Crystal Palace's Mamhadou Sahko looks unlikely.
But Athletic journalist Dominic Fifield says the Baggies have little chance to securing a deal because of the Frenchman's wages and the loan fee that Palace would command.
He said: "Sakho earns over £100,000-a-week at Palace and that salary, combined with the loan fee Palace would seek, would take him out of West Brom's reach."