Albion Under-21s travel to Staffordshire this weekend to play their next Premier League 2 match at Stoke City on Sunday afternoon (ko 1pm).
Results have turned the right way for the young Baggies during October and this positivity is something they will be keen to maintain heading towards the end of 2025 - with the Potters providing the next chance to exhibit their progress.
Last time out
Leigh Downing's team were triumphant in the previous PL2 outing, coming from behind to beat Reading 2-1 at Damson Park.
Torin Ntege and Souleyman Mandey were on the scoresheet last Friday to help Albion's young charges claim a first victory in the league format this season.
Venue
The club's young hopefuls will perform in a first-team environment on Sunday afternoon as they travel to the Potters' bet365 Stadium.
It is an experience which they gain sporadically over the course of the campaign, playing most matches at non-league venues, but this weekend will be a chance to show they can perform in senior EFL surroundings.
Pre-match thoughts
Under-21s boss Leigh Downing believes every PL2 match is an "opportunity for someone to catch the eye" of onlookers, and he hopes the same applies on Sunday at the bet365 Stadium.
The appeal of playing at first-team grounds hasn't been lost on the young Baggies this term, having played at first-team stadiums in the National League Cup as well as The Hawthorns across various Premier League youth competitions.
Senior PDP Coach Downing knows more people will be in attendance over the weekend with the game being hosted at Stoke's main venue, and after seeing plenty of improvement from his team in recent weeks, Leigh is keen to see his players seize the moment in the sort of environment they are all aspiring to play at in the future.
"We've got to a point where we're asking more questions from an attacking point of view, which we're pleased about," said Downing.
"To win games, you need to score goals and we've shown improvements in the final third; getting shots off, more crosses into the box, and ultimately we're seeing a mix of goalscorers and not just relying on the forward players.
"If the lads can share the load, then that's a real benefit but I think, at the opposite end, we look really solid defending now too. Our shape and competitiveness without the ball has been good and that allows you to stay in games.
"The main thing for me is the attitude to run hard, block, tackle, but at the same time, adding those goals to our game which we are.
"Ideally, it's about putting these lads in positions where they're ready to do things asked of them in the modern game.
"The trends of what the game looks like at the top level, what the first team do - albeit it may not look the same regarding the system we use - but the principles such as when we can play out from the goalkeeper, we will, and when we need to ask questions and get the ball in-behind, we will.
"To get the lads opportunities higher up the football pyramid, you have to showcase their strengths and it's important we utilise them in games.
"The squad we have, there's probably more defensive than attacking players, so we've had to find a system which suits those lads while not deviating from what the club wants things to look like at this level.
"The 21s have been very fortunate this season with that stadium appeal to games because we've already played at The Hawthorns three times and in the National League Cup, you play at non-league stadiums - which gives you a bit of an added atmosphere.
"At the bet365 Stadium, when I went there last season in the FA Youth Cup with the U18s, it had a proper big feel to it - not just as a coach, but when you look around the stands, changing rooms, facilities, it just makes the players want to experience these sorts of arenas even more.
"More people come to these games, not just in our own club, but these are good learning experiences for the players and you never know who's watching at these matches.
"Sunday could be someone's opportunity to catch the eye and progress onto bigger and better things."
How to follow
Tickets will be available for supporters to purchase from the bet365 Stadium on Sunday.
General admission is priced at £4 for Adults and £2 for Concessions.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate via card payment only, with entry via Gate B in the Franklyn Stand.
There will be updates across our social media channels for Sunday afternoon's PL2 match against Stoke City.
The full report, reaction and highlights from the match will be available on the website after the game.
