Transfers, overseas links, captain and breakout star - Lewis Cox's West Brom Q&A

There remains plenty to do for club chiefs when it comes to completing a squad to support boss James Morrison in the new campaign.

We asked Express & Star readers to submit questions on all things Albion.

Some of your musings have been selected and answered in a new Q&A piece below.

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Brett Osborne on X

Q: Are you surprised at our, somewhat, domestic based recruitment? I thought we’d see a few overseas unknowns first then maybe the usual home based signings later in the window. There have not been any links to abroad players yet.

LC: It’s a very interesting point, Brett. As you mentioned, the four signings to date have come from the UK, namely Chelsea, Falkirk, Liverpool and Oxford.

I would be a little surprised if Albion’s business concluded without an addition from overseas, but that’s never a given.

I’m certain club recruitment chiefs will be scouring parts of the European market, and even further afield, where they think there is value.

You only have to look at deals in recent windows - transfers for the likes of Torbjorn Heggem, Ousmane Diakite, Aune Heggebo and George Campbell to see Albion have had some strong success there.

Director of football operations Ian Pearce was involved in most, if not all, of those deals and is still leading the way now. Former sporting director Andrew Nestor has left, but new technical director Dominic Price is playing a key role.

Price’s background is at Liverpool as well as more recently Maccabi Tel Aviv, so he will be well versed in the overseas market.

I think it’s fair to say the World Cup will have delayed things globally, but it would be a little surprising if no overseas recruits came in by September 2.

Thomas Hubball on email

Q: Who do you think will be the club captain moving forward?

Thomas adds: “I’d maybe throw Callum Styles’ name in that hat. He’s not the most vocal but could be a leader by example having won two end of season awards last year, given his international experience for Hungary and the fact he’s devoted himself to the Albion with a new contract.

“He could be the long term captain that Albion haven’t really had since the likes of Brunty or Darren Fletcher. As long as he stays fit, he plays every game too.”

LC: Timely Thomas! I did a piece earlier this week with my three contenders to take over the armband, you can see that here.

Styles is a potentially excellent suggestion to be new skipper, and I do not think it would be a huge surprise if he was a part of Morrison’s thinking.

The points you outlined are all very good ones as to why Styles could be under consideration.

I am, like most, a huge fan of the left-back who has really come into his own at The Hawthorns. He would be among most fans’ most well-regarded players.

Is he naturally a captain? I’m not sure. But I’m happy to be proved wrong here. I wouldn’t want it to diminish his strengths and there are parts of his game to smooth over still, but he could be a good candidate.

Dickos on X

Q: Who will be the starting right-back if (Danny) Imray is a no go?

LC: Most Baggies will hope to see Imray back in blue and white stripes this season, Dickos, but there is definitely a consideration to be had here as that is far from easily done.

As it stands the squad badly lacks in that department. Alfie Gilchrist, signed last summer, struggled in that position in the few chances he had and looked more at home at centre-back. His future is unclear amid loan links.

Otherwise the current options are either academy graduate Alex Williams - who impressed me against Bromley - but at 21 lacks regular experience. An even worse - in my opinion - option would be to stick George Campbell out on the right again and lose his quality in the middle.

The one I like from options mentioned elsewhere is Manchester City’s Issa Kabore, who excelled with Wrexham last season.

Reece Payne on email

Q: Which three positions do we most need to strengthen before the season?

LC: I think it’s clear as day, as Morrison outlined, that the wide positions are a priority. The squad is badly lacking on wingers and that has to be addressed as soon as possible.

Beyond that, as referenced above, is the right-back dilemma and I’d want that solved sooner rather than later.

Otherwise I think you’re looking at another central midfield option - there are only three - and perhaps cover at left-back and another option in forward areas.

Bradley Harrison on email

Q: Who do you see as a possible more unexpected breakout star this season?

LC: This is a tough call. Breakout star automatically makes you think of the squad’s younger options.

Going by that measure you’re looking at the likes of Cole Deeming, Harry Whitwell, Ollie Bostock or Williams.

Most, if not all of all, of those could do with spending more time away from the club on loan. One of those, in central midfielder Deeming, had a strong loan towards the end of last season and came back in great nick for pre-season, which bodes very well.

Midfield recruitment is not complete, so perhaps Deeming can grasp any opportunity.

If we’re talking about any more senior options, then it may sound more obvious but I’d back both Aune Heggebo and Isaac Price to have improved seasons this time around.

A word, too, for new recruit Jimmy-Jay Morgan who sounds and looks like a really exciting prospect. I expect him to make a big mark this season.