Captain Jonathan Greening reckons a ‘scare factor’ instilled by boss Tony Mowbray’s summer revolution can inspire Albion to great heights this season.

Greening believes competition for places in the Baggies team is now fiercer than at any time last season.

Mowbray has completely re-shaped the Hawthorns squad over the summer, signing 13 new players while allowing eight to leave.

And the midfield playmaker says that turnover has resulted in better quality on the training ground as everyone battles to stake their claim for a place in the side.

“You need that sort of competition to keep everyone on their toes,” said Greening.

“I’ve been used to it at Middlesbrough. It’s nice to think you’ve got to earn your place and training sessions are buzzing at the moment because everyone wants to play.

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Captain Jonathan Greening reckons a ‘scare factor’ instilled by boss Tony Mowbray’s summer revolution can inspire Albion to great heights this season.

Greening believes competition for places in the Baggies team is now fiercer than at any time last season.

Mowbray has completely re-shaped the Hawthorns squad over the summer, signing 13 new players while allowing eight to leave.

And the midfield playmaker says that turnover has resulted in better quality on the training ground as everyone battles to stake their claim for a place in the side.

“You need that sort of competition to keep everyone on their toes,” said Greening.

“I’ve been used to it at Middlesbrough. It’s nice to think you’ve got to earn your place and training sessions are buzzing at the moment because everyone wants to play.

“If you’re not having a good training session it’s in the back of your mind that the gaffer’s watching and you might lose your place.

“As a result training has been going really well and the gaffer’s probably thinking he’s got 22 players really desperate to play on a Saturday.

“Maybe last year you could name the starting 11 straight away if everyone was fit.

“I think now there are that many good players that I think the gaffer has already said publicly that from one Saturday maybe six of the team might not be in the side the following week.

“That scares people that little bit more into making sure they play well otherwise they might not be involved the following week.

“The scare factor certainly works in that way.”

Greening is one of any eight midfielders who could consider themselves serious first team contenders.

And he believes Mowbray’s squad building has left him spoiled for choice all over the pitch.

“I wouldn’t like to be the gaffer having to pick the team,” added Greening.

“I think we’ve got pretty much two players for every position now so I wouldn’t like to be the gaffer before a game wondering who I was going to disappoint.”