Glenn Murray admits that he would have loved the chance to play for Albion under Roberto De Zerbi.
The former striker has no anger at not getting the opportunity to work under the Italian, but reckons any forward in the world would enjoy playing in this Albion team.
“It’s not a frustration to have not played in this team – my career is my career and I am happy with it. I played until I was a month shy of 38, I got everything I could out of it.
“But you do look at it and think that it must be amazing to play in a team that creates so many opportunities, that is on the front foot. I would have loved to have played in this team and system because it’s a goalscorer and striker’s dream.”
An important part of that has been how quickly our players have bought into Roberto’s ideas.
“I don’t get nervous watching us now because we’re so good at it [playing out from the back]. There’s always a pass on and that’s the work that Roberto does on the training pitch, they’re working on these plays constantly.
“They know if they get pressed on one side then there’s an option somewhere else. It’s like a big, well-oiled machine. Everyone is on the same page, when Steeley has got the ball, I want to see that press, for us to bounce through teams and get a shot away at the other end, sometimes within 20 seconds.
“That’s football that gets you off your seat, it’s exciting for people and that’s what football is about.”
Under De Zerbi we enjoyed league victories last season over Chelsea (twice), Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, while we also picked up a point against league champions Manchester City.
Our former striker puts that down to the change in mentality Roberto has brought to the club.
“I think the players have bought into his belief in them. A manager doesn’t just take a job without seeing the players, he’s done his homework and he knew what he could achieve with this squad.
“But the main thing he has brought for me is, under previous regimes as the newly promoted team – you never go out on the pitch wanting to lose – but it’s almost been acceptable to lose against certain teams, the likes of Manchester City.
“When you go to those sorts of places or even at home, after the game you’re kind of saying ‘we did well today lads, but that’s not the games we’re expected to win, the ones we need to win’.
“With Roberto though, it feels like he’s come in and said ‘every time we step onto the field we’re here to win’. He’s instilled that mentality and the players walk out with their chests out and believe they can win no matter who it’s against.”