John Wile looking forward to seeing Oliver Burke play for West Brom

The former centre-back, who has also been a managing director at the club, believes the Scottish winger has a crucial attribute for succeeding in modern football – pace.

Wile, who played more than 600 times for the Baggies, reckons there could be ‘exciting times ahead’ after the summer’s business.

But he warned supporters against getting carried away, because it will take time to judge how successful the window has been.

“It looks like they have brought in most of their targets, which is good,” said Wile. “It could be exciting times ahead, if they’re as good as they’ve been made out to be.

“They needed to bring players in who allowed them to be a little bit more adventurous and move on up to the next level, and hopefully that’s the football we’ll be seeing this year.

“The team is always set up to be difficult to break down so any addition to the attacking side is something I’m looking forward to seeing.

“For that reason, the lad Burke on the wing could give us a little bit more adventure going forward because we don't have a huge amount of pace throughout the team.

“Pace has always been important, but it is even more so in today’s game. Particularly the way the Albion set up, because they are set up to defend in depth and break at speed.”

Burke made his debut off the bench at home to Stoke City last time out, but he didn't have enough time to make an impact in his cameo appearance.

He is one of six new faces Albion added in the transfer window for just under £40m, and their shrewd business has been lauded far and wide. But Wile says it is far too early to be breaking out the bunting.

“There have been lots of examples of players come in with big reputations and not being as effective as they might be,” he warned.

“Time will tell, playing week in week out at the highest level puts different pressures on people coming from leagues where there are half a dozen good teams and the rest of it is cannon fodder.

“Anybody can have a good game, but consistency is the most important thing.

“Ahmed Hegazi has started off well and we hope it continues. He’s 6ft 5, so he’s going to be threat in the air.

“But you judge people over a period of time, not after two or three games when everybody is fresh and new.

“The Premier League is very quick at sussing people out and finding out what they’re good at and what they’re not good at – you’re exposed to a new level of scrutiny and you have to adapt.”

Which is why Albion’s legendary defender was particularly impressed by the capture of Gareth Barry.

The former Villa and Everton man is closing in on Ryan Giggs’s all-time Premier League appearance record and that experience encourages Wile.

“You know what you’re getting when you buy Barry,” said Wile. “He does what it says on the tin.

“He’s going to do the job Tony Pulis likes, sitting in front of the back four, making sure the defence is covered.

“If he maintains his fitness, that looks like a very good signing. In that position you don’t want someone chasing all over the field, but he’s never been that type of player.

"He’s going to sit there and give you protection. And his experience is going to be a big benefit particularly after losing Darren Fletcher, it’s a like for like replacement.”