Albion are up and running – but it feels like there is a lot more to come from them.
We asked these long-time fans for their thoughts on the 4-1 win over Luton.
Then we looked at how they are shaping up for the long season ahead. A work in progress at this early stage?
1. What were your thoughts on Albion’s performance against Luton?
Tim Ayling: I don't think we were at the top of our game, but once we scored it was a cruise. We didn't need to get out of second gear. In a way, it felt like a home FA Cup tie against lower league opposition. I think we were fortunate to start the season with this game as other teams may have punished us.
Colin Beales: Great to get a result in a potential banana skin fixture, but it felt like the team is still getting into it as you'd expect from the first game of the season. Professional job done though and goals a plenty again. Terrible refereeing again from the Premier League with what looked a soft penalty given to us and a joke penalty decision that Dunk intentionally handballed that if missed by the ref had to be flagged to the ref for review by VAR. Add to that a blatant penalty not given to João Pedro in the run-up to Adingra's goal too, let's hope the officiating get better as the season rolls on too.
James Heasman: It was pleasing to get a win against what was a poor team. Our finishing wasn’t the best, and Ferguson probably looked the sharpest of our forwards, but a good start nonetheless.
Alan Brownings: A very settling and well-balanced performance with great fluidity across the pitch. Always saw this one as a potential banana skin, but the team negotiated it perfectly.
2. Who was your pick of the Albion players?
Tim Ayling: Milner was excellent. I thought it was very harsh to drop Gilmour and Veltman for him, but he proved his worth. Pedro played well in the second half, and I thought Ven Hecke did well. We did lack Caicedo's bite in midfield, predictably.
Colin Beales: I thought Van Hecke had a decent game that should give him some confidence as he slots in for Webster. Still loving the engine Estupinian has, he never stops going up and down the line giving us a huge additional attacking threat.
James Heasman: There were a number of notable performers, particularly Pascal Gross and Dahoud. My man of the match though was James Milner who looked a class above everyone else on the pitch.
Alan Brownings: Had to be James Milner, what an asset he’s going to be. Didn’t put a foot wrong and a deserved standing ovation when replaced.
3. Does it feel like Albion are still a work in progress – and how good could they be?
Tim Ayling: Definitely still a work in progress. Dahoud and Gilmour will improve, but we certainly need that defensive midfielder. I'm sure the club is on it, though.
Colin Beales: Very much a work in progress with new signings needing to be blended in. This is by no means the polished article and I can't think of anyone but De Zerbi that I'd rather have coaching them. I suspect a few more signings may follow before the transfer window closes as a few areas we still look like the squad could do with some additional numbers for the European campaign.
James Heasman: Very much so. The first half we had less flair than last year, but arguably were more industrious. I think it is a promising start, and it will take time for players to bed-in. Hopefully good things ahead, but it will take a supreme effort to surpass last year (but you never know), and currently we’re in the Champions League places!
Alan Brownings: A little, yes. This side still has the potential to grow and I genuinely believe in Ferguson and Jao Pedro in time we can have the best forward pairing in the league. We need to replace Caicedo though, and still lack a little strength in depth across the wider squad.
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