Jonny Drury caught up with some happy Albion fans as they kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. Isaac Price's first half goal was the difference for Albion - in a tight game that also saw chances for Aune Heggebo. Elsewhere, they were hit by a late sending off of Darnell Furlong but it was luft off for the Mason era.
00:00George, three points. Ryan Mason here gets off to a perfect start. He must be delighted.
00:14Absolutely delighted. Yeah, he's just got the job done. You could see it coming all week.
00:18We knew it was going to be a hard game to play against Blackburn. You knew they were going to come here, be horrible, be scrappy, try and hit us on the counter.
00:24But we've got the job done and you can't really complain. Three points is three points. Yes, it wasn't the best game in the world to watch, but at the end of the season, all you're going to see is what's on the end.
00:38And that's points and three points. Happy days.
00:41Yeah, I think it was a game of two halves. I think we started off really strong. I think we looked really well, especially on the ball.
00:48Second half, I think we laid back a little bit. I think we were a bit complacent, but overall, I'd take that any day.
00:55A good start, yeah. Like I say, it's been a long summer in some senses, but it's good to be back.
01:01Yeah, we're happy that we, I think, priced it very well. And we're sad to see them come off.
01:10We're happy that we won it, and at least we kept it in there.
01:15Exactly, mate. Some standouts in that first half, but talk to you about Isaac Price. I've only got a hell of a player on their hands, haven't they?
01:21Yeah, he's a joke. He's an absolute joke of a player. Honestly, the longer we keep hold of him, the more and more the value's going to go up.
01:28So, I mean, with Bill Cook's project that is going on at the moment, we could easily make a solid bit of cash on him. Invest.
01:36You never know what's coming around the corner with this club. We could be the next, like, Brentford without rebuilding at the moment.
01:41We've got some quality young players. Hegebo as well, the way he's running around, he could be up there. Fantastic.
01:48I mean, he was just absolutely sensational today. Any time he got the ball, he just, he had the passion to run at everybody.
01:54Every single ball, every single press, he was there every time. And he was our standout player.
01:59You know, I don't think anyone touched him today. He was mad at the match a hundred times over.
02:04Yeah, he's improved massively over the summer. He looks like he's settled in great. And, yeah, in the whole, yeah, it's been a good result.
02:15Still things have got to gel, I think. That's what we're looking at. You know, the ideas are there. It's just the execution probably hasn't been on point.
02:24You mentioned Hegebo there. I think we all know we probably need three or four new signings, but three debuts today, two from the start.
02:30I thought Hegebo and Phillips were romantic. Phillips would have had a break if it was thrown in.
02:34Yeah, I think they definitely met the physicality of the league, the way that they were throwing themselves around.
02:38Phillips, I think, was fantastic. Every header seemed big, win it. And, obviously, game on game, Hegebo will get better and better.
02:46But, from what I've seen today, he looks quality. And with Madger coming into that team as well, and another couple of players that have been injured, then, who knows?
02:54I think, I swear, Nat Phillips especially. Especially, you know, when we just lost Bartley and we don't have that commanding force.
03:01Well, at least we didn't think so. I think today we really showed that he can fill in that boot.
03:05And he commanded his back four really well. I think he was really vocal. I think that's exactly what we need.
03:10Especially with a goalkeeper who's a little bit timid in terms of, like, shouting out, having him there instead can really help today.
03:18Yeah, I can say, I think we just need a bit more strength and depth over the whole squad. But, yeah, I was impressed with, you know, how we started and that.
03:26I mean, the second half week, we lost it. It was a decent lap and played for us a bit too easily. But, yeah, it was a good start.
03:32Nat Phillips, we thought, was good. Hegebo was also very good. Yeah. I can agree with that.
03:40Yeah. Up the baggies. Up the baggies.
03:421-0 win, joint top of the league. Albion gonna go up?
