Romaine Sawyers is ready for another Hawthorns test mindful that this new-look Albion team has not yet approached anything like its “peak.”
The Baggies step out to face Reading on Wednesday night, an occasion before which the tributes and farewells to James Morrison will add another signal of changing times at the Club.
After being held by Millwall in their previous Sky Bet Championship home clash, Albion know they are in for another tough contest following Reading’s impressive 3-0 victory over Cardiff at the weekend.
But the Baggies are unbeaten in the league and, says Romaine, know this group are only at the beginning of their development.
“So far we have a good foundation to build on,” he says, “but I don’t think we’ve hit our peak yet which is a good thing.
“The positive thing is that we’re still learning how the gaffer wants us to play as well as about each other. We have seven points from nine but it’s good to think that in the future we’ll be really flying.”
Romaine is preparing for the game buoyed by the latest statistical confirmation of his ability to control the tempo of his team’s football.
In Saturday’s 2-1 win at Luton, Romaine recorded a staggering 98.4 per cent success rate from 63 passes.
“It’s obviously good to look at but I just try to work hard to be a positive influence on the team on and off the pitch,” he adds.
“Reading are a good team – I’ve played against them a fair bit in the last few years but they’ve got a lot of new players and they seem more confident this season than they have been.
“We’re the home team and we’re a big club in the Championship and I am sure they will show us a level of respect. But we have got to justify that.”