West Brom pair have gone from outcasts to outstanding in race for play-offs

But fast forward to today and they've fused together in a centre back pairing that has conceded just 18 goals in 24 starts this season - while also boasting nine shut outs.

Few expected Cedric Kipre and Kyle Bartley to develop such a water tight partnership - but that is exactly what they have done.

When Carlos Corberan's teams tend not to win by big margins, they need to have solid defences, and at the moment Albion certainly have that.

For many Albion fans Kipre was a relative unknown but it seems quite clear that ever since Corberan walked in the door, he had his eyes on the centre half who at the time was on loan at Cardiff.

A ball playing rock of defender, Kipre was exactly what Corberan wanted as he went about developing his philosophy of building from the back.

On the opening day and after his error strewn performance at Ewood Park - some were already asking questions, but Corberan did not waiver and for good reason.

Kipre would go on to reveal how reassurances from the manager after that opening day to forget led to his sparkling form.

And it has been sparkling. It has been a regular occurrence to see centre forwards bouncing off Kipre this season.

But it is with the ball where we have seen him shine. You could argue that we haven't seen a ball playing centre back at Albion since a player like Jonny Evans.

Now, that isn't comparing the too. Evans, still remains a highly accomplished Premier League defender with multiple titles.

But Kipre has that technical ability. Playing out from the back, being brave enough to play in tight spaces, or switching the play. Kipre has it in his locker.

They are very much the traits of the 'modern day' defender. They are certainly the traits of many Premier League defenders, barring a select few.

That is what leads me to believe that if Albion were to go up, Kipre would be ready made.

He may lack experience in the top flight but he would have the tools to help him survive.

Equally, if Albion don't succeed in their promotion aim, it is hard to see a world where a Premier League side doesn't come in for Kipre. Especially given he is out of contract in the summer.

On the other side of that centre half pairing you have an experienced operator in Bartley, who less than 18 months ago was being cheered off when he was substituted in a 3-2 defeat to Birmingham.

He seemingly looked finish and even since then, some have argued that has still been the case.

Bartley was inspired after the arrival of Corberan and earned his place back, scoring in wins over Stoke and QPR.

But injuries hampered him from then until the final six games of the season.

By that point, he'd got back on the good side of the fans and it was clear he was a Corberan man.

This season, he has gone to different levels in different parts of his game.

We know what he does well, the 'old fashioned' stuff if you will, the rough and tumble, underlined by his tussle with Matheus Cunha in the derby and his battle with Kieffer Moore on Saturday.

What he hasn't been so well known for is his technical, ball playing ability. But this season you wouldn't think that.

He has grown into the style Albion are adopting, breaking the lines into midfield to get Albion moving.

If he has to go long, it isn't aimless balls.

It isn't just down to Kipre to do that, Albion have a real balance of abilities now.

What is that down to? Drilling on the training ground I imagine and the work of Corberan, but here is an argument to say that Kipre has rubbed off on his team mate.

It is fantastic to see, and to see a partnership that has more than one dimension to their game.

Like Kipre though, Bartley is also out of contract.

Will they still be Baggies come next season? That is a hard one to answer.

So, lets just enjoy what we have at the moment and bask in the stories of two outcasts who are now leading the charge towards the play-offs.