Jamie Andrews is focused on maintaining his team's good start to the campaign when Albion’s PL2 side play Southampton at Snows Stadium on Friday night (ko 7pm).
Richard Beale’s men showed resilience to win their opening game of the season, coming from behind to defeat Newcastle United 2-1 at the club’s training ground thanks to a late brace from Reyes Cleary.
19-year-old Andrews skippered the young Baggies to victory during their maiden league outing as the youngsters dominated proceedings, having 22 shots on goal and numerous final-third entries.
And the U21s midfielder is enjoying the freedom of a new role in the middle, as he looks to keep fighting to make “the next step” and lead his team-mates to another positive result against Saints.
Andrews said: “I’m taking advice from Bealey and Deon and all the coaches around the club, and I’m just excited for this season now and want to keep pushing.
“I want to take the next step now, whatever that may be. At the moment I’m in the U23s and putting my head down doing the best I can to try and push myself on.
“We’re a team who sits and waits for the right moment to go and force the issue together. This year we’ve got more men in midfield which allows me to get outside the box and land on balls further up the pitch.
“It gives me more of a license to get forward and I like how it gets me more involved in our attacks now.
“Last year Caleb was captain and he’s one of my closest friends here, so I was always taking notes and following his lead.
“I want to be that main voice this year and it was a pleasure to have been made captain for our first game because I’ve followed the club since I was born and I will do everything to help it be a success.
“I remember when we played Southampton for the first time last season and we won 6-0, but then the next three times we came up against them it was very difficult.
“They're a good team and we won’t underestimate them. We got off to a good start on Monday, put in a good performance to win the game and created a lot of chances.
“If we perform like that again on Friday, I’m confident we can go into the game and get the win.”
