As performances go, those by West Bromwich Albion's Graham Dorrans have certainly captured the imagination.

Praise from media, supporters and observers has been most apparent during West Bromwich Albion’s promotion push.

At least five local reporters have anecdotally marked out Dorrans as the ‘best player’ they have seen on their respective patches during the course of the season.

Dorrans is naturally bemused by it all – understandably so given where he was just over a year ago.

The 22-year-old was playing for Livingstone just 18 months ago. At this point last year he was still some two months away from his full League debut.

He admits that this campaign has all been a little difficult to come to terms with.

“I have improved my game since I came down here – I’ve tried to get used to it,” he said.

“At the end of this season it will be two years down here and it’s great for me to be playing against these teams and in this sort of league. I am improving as a player in training as well.

“The coaching staff have helped me but just being around good players helps too.

“When I came down here I knew I wasn’t going straight into the team and it was always my plan to get a season out of the way and then push on in the second season and try to get myself in the team.

“The first season was always about getting down here and doing well in training and the second season was to get myself playing. It’s going well so far but I’ve had good support around me.”

Dorrans’ main aim for this season is to avoid football’s version of the post-season lotto – the play-offs.

Albion fans still have vivid memories of their side being dismantled following defeat to Derby County three years ago.

Dorrans is determined to avoid them.

The Scotland international outlined his aims. “I can assure you no-one wants to go through the play-offs at this club – we want to be first or second,” he added.

“If we have to win the play-offs to go up that’s what we’ll do but we are in this to win the league if possible and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.

“Everybody in the dressing room wants to win the league, first and foremost, but if we finish second and go up we will take it.

“If we don’t do that and we go up through the play-offs then that’s great as well. The main aim is to go up but everybody in the team is aiming for the title”.