It was the one-word answer which delighted Albion fans as they watched television on Saturday night.

Or whenever and however people watch Match Of The Day these days.

Asked by Gary Lineker whether his team’s start to the season has surprised him, Fabian Hurzeler said: “No.”

He then explained why and partly qualified his one-word response.

Not surprised, partly because there was no specific expectation in that regard.

Just belief in that thing he often mentions – the process.

But also not surprised because of confidence in his players.

What was he supposed to say? That he thought they would not do very well?

Maybe it is the freshness – not ignorance, but freshness – of relative youth.

Yes, as he says, he is older as a coach than as a person.

But not as a top-flight coach. And not as a coach in a foreign league.

But it is clear he has come with a conviction of what can be achieved and, while being appreciative of what has been done so far, is more concerned about what can be developed and improved.

There is one aspect which is always put to him when he meets a new media audience, as happens at away games.

You know what it is.

But he told reporters in the media room at Bournemouth: “I can’t do anything about my age. It is something I can’t change.

“But I am getting older every day, that’s what I can say.”

And wiser. Wise enough to know praise can soon turn to questions or even criticism.

And vice-versa, even though it has been mainly good news and positive reviews so far.

Asked about nice things said about him by Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, he replied: “First of all, I think every person in the world likes to hear compliments.

“I can just say thanks and give the compliments back because, when I see how Bournemouth is playing, it’s unbelievable.

“But then it is very important for me, it’s not about age.

“The thing for me is I try to stay authentic, I try to give my best.

“I try to do everything for the success of the club.

“For me it is a privilege to work for this club.

“And for me it is just the passion I can do, that’s why I love what I do.”

He is a competitor of course, even when it comes to bingo.

When he was questioned about his high line at Chelsea, he said none of the goals conceded were down to that.

Which was true, if you overlook the move which led to the free-kick which Cole Palmer converted.

But it was more by accident than design, thanks to Nicolas Jackson’s woeful finishing.

We have since seen and heard how Hurzeler learned from that and tweaked things, while sticking to his beliefs.

When he was given the chance to say he was pleased his team caused Liverpool problems, he took a different line and said the ambition was to go to Anfield and win.

That is all in-keeping with answer he gave Lineker on Saturday.

And it is the only way to be in the world of the Premier League.

Be supremely confident in what you can do but in a humble, almost wary way.

There is something else he appreciates – and it was an aspect he stressed again in that room at the Vitality Stadium as a storm battered at the windows.

And that is that he needs good people around him.

He said: “I just keep trying to do my best thing. But it is not a one-man show.

“I have a togetherness, I have a great staff round me.

“I have great assistant coaches, great analysts, great physios, great doctors and that is very important to mention. No one wins alone.

“I think the team makes it easy for me because I have great characters, they work hard.

“The thing no one sees in public is how hard they work every day.

“We have a great ethic, we have a good environment, good atmosphere at the training ground.

“Everyone loves to enter the building.

“Everyone has that attitude, ‘I want to be better when I leave the ground’ and I think that is so important to keep focussing on the process.”

And then he referred with sense of irony to an observation in a previous question.

About how well he is doing given he is only 31.

He said: “For me, it is always so important to stay humble. To stay grounded.

“The football business is ruthless, it can change quickly, I know this. Even though I am young, I know this!

“That is why it is so important for me to keep working, to keep improving.”

And not to be surprised when that works.