Carlos Corberán says Albion remain determined to improve and grow as a team after making a really impressive start to the 2024/25 campaign.
The Baggies have collected 10 points from their opening four matches in the Sky Bet Championship, earning victories over QPR, Stoke City and Swansea City and a draw against Leeds United.
Corberán’s men are back in second-tier action on Sunday afternoon, taking on last season’s Sky Bet League One champions Portsmouth at Fratton Park – a ground they’ve not visited since April 2009 (ko 3pm).
Despite their unbeaten opening to proceedings, the boss is adamant his group have to keep finding ways to perfect their “behaviours” on the pitch and says the “real” Championship is about to begin.
Carlos said: “I completely understand that when a team has three wins and one draw from the first four games, it looks like a really good start.
“However, for me, what has been more important than the results at this stage of the season has been the personality of the team and how we’ve managed different moments.
“Some games we have managed very well, and in others we haven’t managed so well, like in our last game in the second half against Swansea City.
“It’s important to see which behaviour we are going to be focused on and which ones we need to improve and develop as the season progresses.
“We can not just be focused on the results. Our work is to get results, but when you achieve one result, you always have to be thinking about the behaviours which helped you win and which behaviours you can implement in future games.
“The result cannot gloss over the things you need to put your attention on.
“You can’t make conclusions after just four games. You can only do that really when you have played once against every team in this division.
“From now, you are going to see the real Championship start because every team will have new players to use this weekend compared to two weeks ago when the window had just shut.
“We need to see how we are going to compete and how every team will compete.
“Portsmouth are a team who were promoted from League One last year and they are showing consistency in terms of how they’ve been playing this season compared to last year.
“We have to have the same level of respect for every single opponent in football, regardless of how they’ve started.
“Ipswich are a prime example of that having come up from League One the season before last, just like Portsmouth last year.”
Several first-team stars represented their nations in the September international break.
Semi Ajayi and Ousmane Diakité were in Africa with Nigeria and Mali respectively, while closer to home, Jayson Molumby featured for Republic of Ireland and Paddy McNair turned out for Northern Ireland.
Winger Tom Fellows also made his first two appearances for England’s U21 side.
Corberán revealed most have returned to Albion HQ fit and well, but did also state Molumby has picked up a slight knock.
“The only player who has come back with a bit of the problem after the international break is Jayson Molumby. He has a problem in his foot, the other foot to the one he had the injury in before.
“He has been working with the medical staff, but that doesn’t mean he is going to be out of Sunday’s game. We need to see how he is during training.
“The other players all arrived back in good condition. Ousmane Diakité and Semi Ajayi both had long trips from Africa. We need to manage what they do now.
“Paddy McNair is another who was away on duty, but he didn’t travel too far.
“Jayson Molumby played in both games for Ireland, Semi Ajayi played in both games for Nigeria, Paddy McNair played in both games for Northern Ireland but unfortunately Ousmane Diakité didn’t feature for Mali.
“Tom Fellows has been away with England’s U21s and had some minutes there and did well. It’s difficult to be involved with that team because of the level of the players. There are so many good players that England’s U21s have, so it was very nice to see him involved there.
“He has certainly deserved his chance. He needs to keep his mind focused and keep improving and growing as a player.
“On the whole, it’s positive in terms of fitness. Like I say, the only player we need to check on is Jayson Molumby.”
