Former Baggies frontman and BBC Radio WM's Albion summariser Tony 'Bomber' Brown looks ahead to the new season as West Bromwich Albion get their 2025-26 campaign under way on Saturday, as they welcome Blackburn Rovers to The Hawthorns (15:00 BST).
There is nothing like the apprehension that comes with the first game of the season. From the dressing room to the training ground, there is truly nothing like it,
The opening game really is the first opportunity Ryan Mason will get to see what his team is like. As a head coach, you can play as many pre-season games as you'd like but you only see your true players when the season is under way.