DARREN Moore is delighted to start the 2018/19 season at The Hawthorns in front of Albion's home support.
The Baggies will open their Sky Bet Championship campaign at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, August 4.
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And Head Coach Moore is happy to be on home soil with the backing of the club's passionate supporters.
"It's great to be at home for the first game of the season," he said.
"No matter what game it was, it's always going to be a tough one, it always is for the first game of the season but I'm looking forward to it.
"The good thing for me, the football club and everyone connected to the football club is that the first game is a home fixture in front of our home fans."
Following the fixtures release, there is always naturally plenty of analysis out there of key dates - Boxing Day opponents, New Year trips, derby clashes and final-day games.
But Darren is focusing purely on the season opener and making sure everything is in place to ensure Albion get off to a positive start.
"The fixtures, dates and times, of certain particular games will come in due course," he said.
"For me and for us all here at the football club, let's just focus on that first fixture of the new season. And focus all of our energy and attentions on that.
"I'm really pleased, as I say, that we're at home on the opening day. It's the start to a very, very tough Championship campaign."
However, the Baggies boss does share the buzz of fixture release day with fans as the new season draws another step closer.
"It's all the excitement, we all know where we are now in terms of the fixtures - there's no speculation, what ifs, we could get that game or this game..." Darren added.
"The fixtures are there for all to see and there's a real excitement and buzz in the air.
"But I'm just focusing on having a good pre-season and obviously looking forward to the start of the campaign."