Yahoo News John Swift reveals his Celtic link, Mikey Johnston texts and West Brom's new role unearthed
Sunday's trip to Portsmouth was John Swift's first outing on the Fratton Park turf since he left the club for Chelsea as a boy - and the first game he'd experienced in the flesh since watching Celtic, the club he supports, face off against Pompey in a friendly match more than 20 years ago.
Portsmouth-born Swift, who is now 29, spent time in the club's academy before eventually relocating to London and joining Chelsea in 2006. "The last time I went there, I was about 13," he recalled. "I went there with my mum to look around the stadium."
The return on Sunday was worth the wait. Albion were excellent as they broke Pompey open inside a minute before bossing the game in the second half and emerging 3-0 victors thanks to Josh Maja and Alex Mowatt. Albion, albeit after only five games, sit top of the division, are unbeaten, possess the best defensive record and boast the top scorer and top producer of assists in the Championship.
Carlos Corberan will ensure all feet remain firmly planted on the ground, but it's undoubtedly an exciting time; the squad audit and recruitment process conducted by the club in the summer was as eye-catching as it was necessary and yet, as we sit here five matches in, it doesn't feel as though we've even yet felt the full effects of it.
READ: The inside track on Mikey Johnston's transfer to West Brom and how he left it at Celtic
READ: Carlos Corberan press conference notes: Nestor talks, Racic option and West Brom headache
"Yeah, Heggy [Torbjorn Heggem] is the only new face in the starting XI at the minute," Swift says. "Every new player has to prove themselves and try and get into the team. Every player playing knows that someone else is waiting to come in, which is good as it's a boost. You need to play well. The lads who have come in know they have to fight for their position."
As many as 19 players left the club this summer. As July became August, just before the new season began, the squad was at its thinnest, but the decision makers within the walls of the club's training ground, held their nerve and, on a reduced budget, look to have recruited impressively.
Eleven new faces were signed. Such is the current competition for places - and a generally clean bill of health, long-term absentee Daryl Dike aside, and even his highly anticipated return is on the horizon - Corberan has been having to leave new additions to his squad out of the match-day 20. None of Callum Styles, Devante Cole or Paddy McNair made the bench on Sunday.
"Inside the changing room we knew we were strong, but to start how we have...I don't think anybody expected it," Swift admitted. "I'm 29 now, so every season you have come to expect that you won't see the same faces around the whole time. Some players have done really well, got some good moves, but there'll always be change. You get used to it. By the time the window closes, everyone is concentrating on the games anyway.
"The majority of the squad is fit now. Having quality on the bench to come on and change the game is a massive plus. The quality we have on the bench, there are some great players and hopefully they can continue to come on and make a difference."
Among the most recent additions is the familiar face of Mikey Johnston, who Swift has developed a friendship with. The pair watched Celtic's recent dismantling of Glasgow rivals Rangers together, shortly, after the winger had returned from Parkhead on a permanent basis for £3m. Messages were exchanged between Johnston and his Albion teammates in the summer, with all concerned hoping a deal could be concluded.
"Everyone knows how important he was when he came in," Swift said of the Scot. "He's a great guy around the place, he gets on with everyone. He needs to wait for his chance, because KG [Karlan Grant] is doing really well at the minute. It did seem unlikely he was going to come back, from the outside for the players, but once it got closer it felt like it was actually going to happen.
"He went to [Jayson] Molumby's at 2am, so that was a nice message to wake up to. I think he's in a hotel at the minute, looking for a place. I wouldn't have him at mine!"
It's a quirk, really, that despite those attacking signings - Johnston has also been joined by Cole and Lewis Dobbin in heading through the door this summer - Swift is still looking up, in his slightly deeper role this season, and seeing familiar faces, existing players who were available to Albion last season but, for one reason or another, weren't on the pitch.
Grant has returned from Cardiff City with a clear intention of breaking back into Corberan's plans. Five strong performances and one goal in, he's certainly earned dibs on the left wing spot despite having Johnston breathing down his neck. Then there's Maja, who was on the end of two grim challenges which all but voided his campaign last year. He is the league's top scorer, but it's his all round play which has taken aback Albion supporters.
As for Tom Fellows, who has displaced club captain Jed Wallace on the right and attracted Premier League suitors at the end of the transfer window, there is little left which needs to be said.
"We knew Josh as a player and that he was a good player, but I don't think anyone has expected him to start the season like this," Swift reasoned. "The stuff he's been doing, dropping off in the pockets but also getting in behind, getting goals...KG, everyone has seen that he is working as hard as anyone on the pitch. The goals will come. It's an exciting place to be, with Mikey coming back, Jed, Grady [Diangana], everyone fit."
As for Swift himself, who was in electric form last term prior to his calf injury in October which rather derailed his campaign, he is operating a little deeper these days in order to see more of the ball, more of the game and complement colleagues Mowatt and Molumby.
"I'm playing deeper, but not necessarily standing deeper, more arriving deeper," he concluded. "I play as a ten but on the left, so Jayse has the space to break into the box on the right hand side. I have the freedom to drop in on the left or in the left-back position to get on the ball. Last year it was very much a two in midfield with Mowey and Okay.
"Now it seems a little bit more free. We can rotate, and move the ball wherever we see the space. Josh is a massive part of that. When I drop, that creates space for Josh to drop and he is probably the most comfortable player in that position to receive the ball. It's quite unique to have a player like Josh. I definitely feel a lot freer, I can drop and get on the ball and affect the game."
The freedom of not only Swift, but for all in an Albion shirt in the early stages of what is fast developing into a highly promising season, has been especially evident thus far. Under Corberan, Albion have reinvented themselves again - and Swift remains a fundamental cog in what appears to be a well oiled machine.
