West Brom notebook: The Price is right, new boys crank it up and the 'P word'

The Price is right

Attacker Price has stepped up his levels this season and opened the scoring five minutes after half-time with a wonderful individual goal.

His eighth goal of the season against the Lions takes his haul to one short of last season’s total. Price said himself recently he feels like the main man and revels in the responsibility and his impact is clear as day.

It was evident in the first public pre-season fixture against Bromley in Portugal that Price, shoulders back, was ready to step up.

Albion have previously been in early talks about a new deal for the 23-year-old, from the terms he signed in January 2025, running until 2029.

Price deserves an improved deal, no question. Albion might be more interested in rewarding the Northern Ireland star given January is approaching and there will almost certainly be admiring glances towards the talisman.

Price is destined for the Premier League, James Morrison has reiterated as much, and has time on his side . He’s not alone, with Ousmane Diakite and Callum Styles’ form showing similar - but the match-winning displays from former Everton youngster Price are increasing his valuation.

His current worth to Albion is huge.

New recruits step up

Rabby Nzingoula has truly arrived as a Baggies player and, at just 20, the Frenchman has huge potential and looks one of Albion’s buys of the summer.

He is mostly excelling in a right-sided role when a more natural position is in the middle of the park. But Nzingoula’s traits are flourishing all over the field.

The recruit from Strasbourg is a wonderful technician but also a real athlete and has a fine ability to wriggle out of tight pressure and retain possession. He is a creative force and is developing exciting relations with team-mates, not least compatriot right-back Brayann Pereira, another in good form.

Horn Myhre has also arrived. He was quiet against Southampton last week but he has began to increasingly show his qualities in the final third and pose a threat.

The Norwegian arrived with much promise and is looking like a very smart acquisition.

Tunde time?

Winger Kareem Tunde has been conspicuous by his absence for the first couple of months of his Albion career - but against Millwall he showed what he is all about.

The 21-year-old has endured a tough start in a new home, with a necessary bid to improve fitness levels after his fleeting breakout season in La Liga in Spain last season.

A couple of frustrating niggling injuries have not helped, but recent cameos offered brief encouragement.

Here, Tunde made his impact felt. He played his part in Molumby making it 2-0 but the silky, mazy dribble in the lead up to the third was a sign the winger could develop into a Baggies star.

Promotion talk

It was the first time this season the Albion faithful dared chant about Premier League aspirations as the Smethwick End erupted into song after Molumby turned in for 2-0.

Once or twice of late Morrison has welcomed the optimism from supporters and his players regarding promotion ambition.

There was a switch, at least publicly, in messages prior to the West Ham trip - as a couple of players told national media outlets that the squad eyed promotion, with a ‘good chance’.

A haul of seven points from a possible nine since against good opposition with largely fantastic performances has only strengthened that feeling.

It is very early, and the table is very tight - Morrison is right to continue hammering that warning - but one point off top is some going.