Lewis Cox's Austria tour diary with West Brom - day four

Those who know me know I love stadiums, especially quirky ones. In this job visiting football grounds is an occupational hazard, but I do like to take a 'busman's holiday' to visit places when I have free time. I'm a little bit of a ground-hopping anorak.

So I did a bit of research on the Bad Tatzmannsdorf Fussball Arena - home of Sportsclub Bad Tatzmannsdorf, who incidentally play fifth-tier Austrian football. Perfect.

Do not worry, they do not get much of a crowd. There is very little crowd to bring, as those reading my extracts this week would know. The same research showed me the town's 2023 census had the population at about 1,600!

I've reported from my fair share of non-league grounds over the years so, ahem, unequipped press boxes are fine by me. Here we had a standing bench to at least balance the laptop.

Power was too much to ask for, sadly. But surprisingly the Wifi was excellent.

Albion's pre-season tour coverage is in association with BHP Design

What wasn't so good, however, was the conditions. Well, they were good initially - almost too good - as the blazing sun beat down on the back of our necks. I was grateful the BBC's Steve Hermon had purchased some travel factor 30 before kick-off.

It almost melted my keyboard which was boiling to touch and as for being able to see our screens, well you can only imagine! There were enough big bees buzzing around too. They are not my favourite.

But far from me to moan about it being too nice. It did not quite stay like the heatwave back home in England, however. By early in the second half, just after Nat Phillips' headed opener, we were ducking for cover under the open clubhouse-stand building pitchside.

Just like Albion have enjoyed all four seasons this week, we had it all in 90 minutes.

Defender Kyle Bartley, uninvolved from the match as he nurses a fitness issue, raised a smile as from two rows in front he turned to Steve and I early in the match to claim "you boys have the life don't you?"

Thanks, Kyle. It has been a hard-working week! 

The squad and staff have a nice BBQ to round off their trip tonight.

Anyway, the 1-1 draw was enjoyable. We had the chance for just a second interview with Ryan Mason afterwards, this was more intimate and he was good value.

It was good to see Albion chairman and owner Shilen Patel and sporting director Andrew Nestor watching on. Andrew arrived on Wednesday and Shilen and his wife Parita checked into the AVITA Therme spa on Thursday. 

We had the chance to chat briefly with all three and thank Shilen and Andrew for the club being so accommodating this week.

After a load of post-match writing and videoing I had to bid my travel partner Steve farewell. He drove back up to Vienna on Friday evening for an early Saturday flight.

My flight is later on Saturday so I will spend the day taking public transport north in a bid to reach the capital. I think some divine intervention is required.

I will miss this charming little place though.