This week we have Dan from excellent WBA site baggiesfacts.com giving us the lowdown on all things Baggie
1) Firstly, Alan Irvine?! What's the deal with that?
It was a shock to us too, it all looked set to be Tim Sherwood and Alan Irvine literally came from nowhere, even the local journalists didn't see it coming. Many former players and current coaches have talked of his brilliant methodology when it comes to training ground work which means he might well be a good fit at the Albion. We work slightly different to most clubs with a setup that tries to takes a lot of the usual 'managerial' duties away from the 'Head Coach' whose job is to concentrate on the playing squad only, pretty much. Let's hope this allows Irvine to make a success of his time in B71.
2) You needed penalties to get past Oxford United midweek in the League Cup, and have drawn your opening two games of the season, throwing away leads late on in two of the three matches. Do you see holding onto the lead as a problem? Or becoming one?
As our neighbours Aston Villa will tell you, there are no easy games in the cup, and we fielded a team which contained quite a few of our new signings and injury returnees. We actually didn't play badly at all, credit must go to Oxford who defended superbly. I wouldn't read too much in to this game.
When it comes to leads, yes, last season it was like watching the inevitable happen week after week. It would appear that Irvine has worked on defensive shape a lot over the summer, to the point where Albion fans are worried he's done too much! With the return of McAuley and addition of Lescott hopefully we can stay defensively strong throughout the campaign.
3) Are there any players we should watch out for in particular this weekend?
I would say Costa Rican right-back come right-midfielder Cristian Gamboa. He could come off the bench on Saturday much like he did against Oxford. He has a brilliant burst of pace in him which could be key in the latter stages of away fixtures not just against the Swans but in all the tough away games this season.
4) As for ourselves, is there anyone in particular you think your team will need to be wary of?
Wilfried Bony, always. If you can get past transfer deadline day with him still in your squad he can be the difference between being in the relegation mix to mid-table comfort. He scores all types of goals and is a constant threat. If he does as well this season as he did last season, it might unfortunately for yourselves, be his last in South Wales.
5) How do you think you'll fare in general this season?
Safety has to be the aim again. With so much change this off-season we need to keep the club ticking over whilst so many new people settle in at the Albion. I know it's not always so simple but scoring goals will be key. We need to find the net a lot more regularly than we did last term.
6) Do you think you'll be looking to keep things similar to how you've played so far this season, or will Irvine make changes against the Swans?
We've been playing a 4-4-1 formation so far under Irvine but it's been tough with a lack of pace on the wings or having to play Berahino on the wing to accommodate him and the system. This might well be more effective going forward with the addition of pace ace Silvestre Varela from FC Porto and possibly one more signing likely.
Many feel that with the players we've signed a 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 formation could prove to be our most effective. We have signed a lot of players to cover defensive positions in the summer and our new full-backs / wing-backs like to get forward, especially World Cup star Cristian Gamboa.
It will probably be a horses for courses approach, with us setting up on the counter more so against the tougher sides.
7) You've been very busy in the transfer market this summer - who've been the stand out signings?
With the fans it has been Sebastien Pocognoli, our new Belgian left back. Everyone loves a committed player and he's certainly showed he is just that. He loves a tackle and his crossing ability is at a level above what we've seen at left-back for some time. It will be a tough ask for fellow new signing Jason Davidson to get his chance if Pocognoli carries on playing the way he has.
I have to mention record £10million signing Brown Ideye. He showed some neat touches and turns in his first Premier League game against Southampton and with some much needed game time behind him from the cup tie, he might well be looking at Swansea as the game to really start his career in the Black Country.
8) You've signed Craig Gardner who started at Villa before also turning out for Birmingham. How do you feel about this? Is he trying to complete the set by going to Wolves after you?
We've signed him and Lescott this summer who've previously played for rival clubs. We're really not fussed as a fan-base as long as they give 100% in Albion colours.
To complete the set Gardner may well look to go to Walsall towards the end of his career rather than those lot down the road. I can't imagine anyone would willingly want to play in that dirty orange kit of theirs!
9) Lastly, what's your prediction for this weekend's match?
2-2 with Albion fighting back to pick up a point.
Massive thanks to Dan for taking the time to answer these questions! You can follow BaggiestFacts on Twitter @BaggiesFacts and don't forget to check out BaggiestFacts.com