Playing style & the transfer window: Two big issues for the new West Brom boss to tackle

It has been more than two weeks since Corberan departed Albion for Valencia, with an interim management team taking the side while the club's hierarchy conducted a wide ranging search for a suitable candidate.

As reported by the Express & Star this week, a list of potential new managers was whittled down and interviews have been conducted with two European coaches.

Rene Hake, who was most recently Erik ten Hag's assistant manager at Manchester United, is one who has been interviewed by Albion officials.

Raphael Wicky, a former Swiss international who went on to win a league and cup double with Young Boys in the Swiss Super League is another who has met with the club.

An appointment is expected to be made in the coming days - with the interim management team of Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill continuing to take charge of the weekend's FA Cup trip to AFC Bournemouth.

The trio have led Albion into four league games so far, winning once and picking up five points in what was a difficult festive period for following the managerial upheaval.

It is highly likely the trip to the South Coast will be their final game in charge - with a new boss in the dugout for the home clash with Stoke next Saturday.

Ahead of an appointment, we've had a look at a two key issues a new Albion boss will face when they come in to replace Corberan.

Transfer window

When you take over a side in January - then the transfer window is going to be at the top of your agenda.

That will be no different for whoever comes in at Albion, and there is doubt that discussions over what they can do, and who they can bring in, will be taking place during the interviews that have been held.

It is a tricky one for Albion in this window. Amid financial fair play issues we saw last summer in reducing the wage bill, and more tricky situations to navigate coming down the track, they need to strike that balance again of adding quality but doing it within their means.

Hopefully they can bring in a couple of new signings, and you think that any incoming managers' plans for the window will align with those of the hierarchy at Albion.

It is clear for everyone to see a striker is required. Whether they gamble on the fitness of Daryl Dike, or identify someone else to come in remains to be seen,. But the position and adding back up for Maja will be a priority.

Elsewhere, interest will no doubt continue into the main assets of Josh Maja and Tom Fellows, and that in itself represents a tricky start for a new manager.

The last thing you want to do is lose a prized player just as your reign is getting started. It is understood it would take a significant offer for that to happen and keeping hold of their top players will be key for the new boss.

In a way, it is almost a good position for an incoming manager to be in. If they arrive early next week, Albion will have just under three weeks to bring in new players. That isn't a luxury most new managers have so soon after taking over at a club.

Playing style and making a mark

It is rare a manager comes in during a mid season transfer window, but it is also rare to come in when a side is sitting in a decent position.

Albion had suffered a tricky run in recent months with all the draws they racked up under Corberan. But, the statistics show they have lost twice in 17 outings, with one of those coming since the Spaniard's departure.

After he departed, Albion put in a below par display at Derby on Boxing Day, but since then there has been marked improvements.

The Baggies took the game to Sheffield United on December 29, and arguably could have won against one of the sides tipped for automatic promotion.

They then ran all over Preston and had the game wrapped up by half time - and it should have been the case at Swansea but they left the back door open at the death and had to settle for a point.

But the mood is a positive one at the moment with the way Albion are playing. Some fans had started to become frustrated by Albion's style under Corberan, of being tight and compact rather than being more adventurous in games.

It worked during his reign, there is no doubt about that, but some wanted to see more. In recent games, there seems to have been a loosening of the shackles to a certain degree, and the fans seem happy about that.

Albion looked a lot more fluid going forward and above all, look more dangerous.

So any new manager that comes in has a conundrum. They will no doubt want to put their own stamp on the side at some point, but for the time being is it worth sticking with what is working?

If a new manager comes in and tries to make too many changes too soon, it could have a detrimental affect. 

They may have to strike a balance and try and keep things going as they are for now, before moulding the team into how they really want it, when the summer comes around.