Notwithstanding the uncertainty surrounding the future of Kevin Phillips and given the defection of Zoltan Gera and Martin Albrechtsen, West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray could be forgiven for thinking that his plans for the new season had gone as predicted.

He insists that is not the case, however, and while he is cognisant of the need to bring players in to the club any new signings that do make it through the gates at The Hawthorns will be of the requisite quality and character.

“When players get to the end of their contracts they have every right to move clubs,” he said. “We are about where I thought we would be at this stage.

“In many ways it is a similar predicament to the one we found ourselves in last year when a lot of people left and we hadn’t brought many in. We are aware that we need to get some players and we are working hard towards that.

“Like many clubs, we have irons in the fire.Numbers is not a consideration, there’s no pressure on us there – it is all about quality.

“We continue to strive to find the right quality of footballer. Ultimately, we are trying to build a side capable of staying in the Premier League and you don’t do that grabbing anyone that’s available.”

What is notable is that only one of the players Mowbray has signed so far in the closed season – Luke Moore, whose £3?million loan deal became permanent last month – has Premier League experience.

That is something the manager admits needs addressing. He added: “I am very conscious that I can’t bring three, four or five 20-year-olds in and expect them all to make huge impacts in the Premier League.

“This is a division with quality, experience and knowledge. So there has to be a balance and somewhere along the line I would hope there’d be a bit of experience coming in.

“Sometimes youthful enthusiasm isn’t enough.”

Unlike many managers in the top-flight, Mowbray did not treat the Euro 2008 Championship as a talent-spotting window and suggested any approaches for players who impressed in the tournament would not be based solely on their performances during the summer.

Mowbray said: “Euro 2008 changed nothing.  I have always been wary of buying players off the back of a handful of games.

“My phone never stopped during the tournament from agents telling me how I should watch a game because so-and-so will be playing and telling me who is available and at what price.

“A lot of mistakes have been made buying players on one tournament because many are playing for their futures.

“I watched the Euros for the tactical side of the games, not with a view to buying players.”

The signing of Gianni Zuiverloon, Albion’s new £3?million 22-year-old right back, is a case in point.

Mowbray added: “I first watched him 12 months ago when we played Heerenveen last pre-season and he stood out then a talented player with a lot of confidence.

“Since then I have watched him three of four times and had regular scouting reports.  I am delighted he is here. A lot of work went into getting him here and I am glad it has paid off.”