Comment: Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi can be West Brom's bedrock

It has now become one of football’s well-worn truths, and as enjoyable as it was during the first part of the season when Albion’s fab four were blitzing teams, it was a phrase that nagged at the back of the mind.

But over the last three games, the Baggies have discovered a new-found steeliness in defence after switching to a back four.

Two players whose form has seen the largest upward trend as a result of that change are Ahmed Hegazi and Craig Dawson.

Instead of looking like lumbering lost sloths passing directly to the opposition or attempting Cruyff-turns in their own box, they now resemble a brick wall, with barbed wire on top, and landmines underneath.

As if to signify their new-found comfort, both centre-backs scored in a gritty 2-1 win over Swansea on a wet and windy Wednesday night.

As a pair, they have always enjoyed incredible success. In their 15 games partnered together as a two, Albion have won 10, drawn three, and lost just twice.

Jonny Evans may have been the coveted star in the backline who interested Manchester City and Arsenal, but five of Albion’s six Premier League wins last season came with Hegazi and Dawson playing together.

Darren Moore is a man who knows something about the artistry and industry of defending.

“I like both players,” said Darren Moore this week. “The type of defenders they are.

“I enjoy watching them play, being a former defender myself.

“I like their tenacity, their approach on the ball, their positional sense and communication – and I like the toughness they both possess.

“Those are certain qualities as a centre-back you need to have – and they have them in abundance.

“Giving the lads credit, with the ball at their feet, they can play as well.

“They’ve got those aspects – no-nonsense, tough, uncompressing defenders, but also possessing a bit of finesse about them.”

That point is up for debate. Hegazi and Dawson have flourished in the last three games because they’ve kept it simple.

Clearances have been cleared, headers have been headed.

When Albion were playing out from the back, they looked far less assured.

As did Kyle Bartley, a towering 6ft 3in right-footer asked, perhaps unfairly, to be playmaker on the left-hand side.

There’s no doubt he would look better in the current system, and Moore is quick to mention the summer signing, knowing he will need to call on him later in the season.

“I don’t want to take Kyle out of it, who is injured at the moment,” he said.

But it is Hegazi and Dawson who are the catalysts of this current run.

“They bring composure and strength to the team,” added Moore.

“I like working with them. They probably get a bit of a raw ride from me sometimes with me being a former defender, but they’re both wonderful stalwarts and long may that continue.

“We’re pleased we’ve got them both here, playing for us at West Brom.”

That last comment is pertinent because both players might have left in the summer.

Dawson handed in a transfer request in an effort to force a move to Burnley and Hegazi had a £10million release clause a few clubs contemplated triggering.

There may well be struggling Premier League clubs casting an eye over them in January, although the fact Albion have kept just one clean sheet will hopefully put them off.

Because the Baggies now have a winning partnership at the back to supplement their lethal attack.

And that is just as encouraging for the months ahead as another Dwight Gayle goal or another Harvey Barnes screamer.