Former West Bromwich Albion defender Curtis Davies says the Baggies' experienced summer signings have been "key" to boss Ryan Mason's early success in his first permanent managerial appointment.
Defenders Chris Mepham, 27, and Nat Phillips, 28, from Liverpool were among Albion's close-season recruits.
And Davies, who played alongside Mason at Hull City in 2016-17, says it was the duo's leadership skills that appealed to the young head coach.
"The signings they've made, I think that's key when particularly you have a young manager," Davies told BBC Radio WM.
"I spoke to Mason in the summer, spoke about the environment, spoke about making sure you've got people in there that can help the changing room and they can almost self-govern it.