Levi Colwill is not alone in believing that team-mate Lewis Dunk should have added to his solitary England cap.
The 19-year-old central defender has seen how good the Albion captain has become since he broke into the team against Aston Villa in November. It’s a partnership which seems to have blossomed in the last five games they have played together and may continue at the Riverside when Albion face Middlesbrough in the Emirates FA Cup third round today.
Colwill, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea, said, “With all the attributes he has Dunky should have played for England a few more times. He’s a great player and a leader and his presence alongside me helps so much.
“When you step on the pitch you have to show some character of your own, so you can demand of other players what they are demanding of you. You need to show a ruthless mentality, doing the right things every day until it starts to become normal. He has helped me find that.
“He guides me every day on and off the pitch, the same with Adam Webster. I think you can tell from my game that I’m maturing a lot quicker, I’m just grateful for their support.”
Colwill has had to adapt since heading to the club in the summer, not least to the style of play Roberto De Zerbi has implemented since replacing Graham Potter in September.
“Roberto demands a lot from you all the time but all the coaches give me advice and it’s a big part of why I feel I have improved this season. I understand what he wants, but he gives me a lot of freedom on the pitch. You don’t want to make mistakes but he knows with young players that will happen - he believes in me.”
Colwill had a successful loan spell in the Championship with Huddersfield Town last season but admits the Premier League is a big step up and has identified what the main difference is. “You’ve always got to stay focused with or without the ball. If you give top players half a chance they can do anything with a ball.”
Today’s opponents have climbed into the top five in the Championship under new head coach Michael Carrick but Albion lost to League One Charlton – albeit on penalties – in the Carabao Cup last month and are anxious to avoid another upset.
“If we don’t go into the game with the right mentality anything could happen,” added Colwill. “We need to go there thinking it’s a Premier League game and play with the right intensity. Charlton was a tough one to take so we’ll need to give it our all.
“The FA Cup is a big competition and with this squad I think we’ve got to aim to do well in it this season.”