In late May, Mowbray also stressed that the club would not break its wage structure to keep key players. Within weeks, Zoltan Gera and Martin Albrechtsen had left the club for Fulham and Derby County respectively. For a relatively inexperienced manager, the 44-year-old former Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich Town defender possesses a strong sense of direction and that should serve him and his squad well in the upcoming campaign.

The Barclays Premier League is of course a step up, and there is a school of thought that promoted teams must adopt a more direct style if they are to get consistent results. But Ipswich certainly didn't subscribe to that in 2001 when they secured a fifth place finish and UEFA Cup football under George Burley a season after being promoted. Burley's first-team coach that season? None other than Mowbray himself, a former captain at the club.

While Burley and Mowbray greatly benefitted from the 19 league goals scored by Marcus Stewart that season, Czech Republic striker Roman Bednar is likely to be the main fulcrum up-front for the Baggies this season. He scored 17 goals in all competitions last season after joining on loan from Hearts and the club have exercised a purchase option, signing him for £2.3million. The striker's physical strength, aerial prowess, and ability to create chances for others should certainly prove an asset.

Another handful in the air comes in the form of possible strike partner Ishmael Miller. The Manchester City youth product was signed from the Eastlands club earlier in the summer after impressing on loan with nine Championship goals last season. His strength and pace should test defences, while his ability to play out on the left will give Mowbray a useful option in midfield. Luke Moore, purchased from Aston Villa this summer, also on the back of a loan spell, is another who can play in attack or on the wing. He also boasts Premier League experience.

Kevin Phillips was the second-top scorer in the Championship last season behind Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. However, the 35-year-old will not be at the club next season. He wanted a two-year contract, the club were only willing to offer him one year, and he has now joined Birmingham City.

The slick operators that supplied Phillips in Mowbray's midfield attracted many admiring glances last season. The likes of Gera, Jonathan Greening and Filipe Teixeira carved out no shortage of chances for their team-mates, and the trio weighed in with a combined total of 14 league goals. The Baggies' ability to construct incisive moves in midfield made them the stand-out team to watch last season, and even without Gera, Mowbray will be hoping that Greening and Teixeira can provide enough ammunition to help Bednar and others flourish in attack. Greening is also the club captain and played an inspirational role last season, with his subtle passing often catching the eye. His previous experience in the Premier League will be priceless.

West Brom's weakness in the Championship was in defence where they were often susceptible to set-pieces and crosses, not to mention teams with an over physical style of play. The Barclays Premier League is even more unforgiving so Mowbray will need to place high emphasis on organisation. He will be hoping to make some more additions to his backline, and recently sealed the purchase of Holland Under-21 international Gianni Zuiverloon from Heerenveen for a fee of £3.2million.

As important as any further potential new signings will be that the squad maintains its humility and work ethic. Mowbray prides himself on team spirit coupled, of course, with that deep understanding of how the game should be played.

Mowbray said recently: "It's not about money but about personalities, quality and the talent you bring in. "At Ipswich we didn't sign a single player apart from Hermann Hreidarsson who replaced me in that first season when we finished fifth. But we had a mentality that we could win if people disrespected us. It's up to me to instill that mentality."

It is never an easy transition from the Championship to the top flight. West Brom have spent three previous seasons in the Premier League since the turn of the century, having gone straight down in 2003 and survived on the last day in 2005, only to be relegated the following campaign.

So they have their work cut out but the values of this team and its manager mean they are well placed to survive the 2008/09 campaign.

Mowbray's side go into the season with high hopes and it will help them to look back on the experiences of clubs previously promoted. Premierleague.com analyses the factors that have been decisive in keeping clubs afloat. To read the article, click here.