West Brom v Middlesbrough: Tasty opener offers early chance to lay down marker

Perhaps, more so, a perfect opportunity to make an early statement. This is a high-profile game, at home under the lights, broadcast live, against the team second in the Championship.

Albion, in the depths of 18th under new management desperate to make an impression, do not go in as favourites. This, then, is an ideal immediate chance to lay some foundations for the Eric Ramsay era. To begin to see what lies ahead.

"I have tried to really strike that balance between picturing players in situations that I would like to see them in, making sure that everything is viewed through the lens of what is to come, as opposed to what's been," Ramsay said.

"From my perspective, the work that I've done up until this point has been to get to know the players intimately, as opposed to trying to decrypt the systematic issues.

"I don't think that pace is a good use of my time, so everything has been about the knowledge of the individual, and how that feeds how I want things to look moving forward."

Ramsay has had no shortage of catching up to do. His last Minnesota match, a play-off semi-final defeat, was November 25. The debrief and recovery went well into December before a return home to these shores, much-needed family time and a refresh.

The 34-year-old has said he would only feel capable of running head-first into this role after a break.

He added ahead of a clash against Kim Hellberg's second-placed Boro: "I know the team in intricate detail, I've watched a lot of games, but it almost does not make sense for me to cast judgement as to what has gone wrong from the perspective of set-up, from a tactical perspective, nor system, nor anything that you might point to as a coach, because I'm evaluating things with fresh eyes.

"I will do things in the way that I feel best suits this group, so I wanted to know the individuals well, I wanted to know what has led up until this point from their perspective.

"I want to be very clear on what they're good at, I want to make sure that anything that I do is with in mind squeezing the most out of players, making them feel like they're in a position where they're able to show their strengths at their very best."

Ramsay will already know more than most any limitations to the team and squad he inherited. His role moving forward is to get more from the group than Ryan Mason managed.

For example, Albion are very light in central midfield. First-choice duo Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby both missed last Sunday's FA Cup penalty shootout success in Swansea with injuries.

The likelihood, perhaps, is Molumby is asked to play through the pain barrier. In an ideal world for Ramsay both are available, but that feels a stretch.

The club's only other natural senior midfielder Ousmane Diakite is on compassionate leave in Mali after the tragic passing of his brother Madou.

It will likely see Ramsay look to Callum Styles to continue in midfield from left-back. Youth options Harry Whitwell and Cole Deeming can be considered.