Alexis Mac Allister is relishing his new deeper role in Albion’s midfield.
And in a World Cup year, the 23-year-old is delighted that the switch has been noticed by his Argentina coaches as well.
Mac Allister has helped Albion pick up four points from their first two games of the season with a trip to West Ham on Sunday next up.
“I like the new role a lot, it is different to what I’ve been used to for some time,” he said. “But it’s a position I like and I think I can do it well in and my team-mates and the coaches help me a lot to grow every day. It’s a job I can do comfortably.
“I like to always be in contact with the ball. I make a lot of decisions and I also help out defensively, which is an area of my game I feel I have improved a lot on in these recent times.”
In Argentina, the role is known as a No.5.
“The first day I arrived with the national team in May they said they had the idea of using me as a No5, they could see qualities for me to do that well," he added. "I am very conscious it is a new position for me, and I need to improve a lot, but I think I am on the right track and I’m happy.
“For the national team and here, the important thing is to be on the pitch and then to help team-mates where they need me, be it as a ten, eight or six. I’ll always try and do my best.”
Mac Allister says Albion’s exploits are being noticed more and more at home. He helped us finish in a record ninth place last season and then we kicked off the new campaign with a 2-1 win over Manchester United.
“The win at Old Trafford? It was beautiful, although unfortunately I scored an own goal! It was an important win to give confidence, to kick start the season and hopefully we can keep going this way and keep making history for this club.
“It was talked about a lot. I think in Argentina as well as in other places, people are starting to recognise a bit more about our idea of playing. It is very important for us to do things well and for people to recognise us in England and other countries.”