TONY Mowbray has branded the arrival of Albion's new strength and conditioning coach Dave Wilson as a 'breath of fresh air'.

Wilson has taken over from Richard Hawkins, who has left to link up again with former Baggies boss Bryan Robson at Sheffield United, and took charge of his first game in last Saturday's trip to Colchester.

The ex-Everton apprentice celebrates his 35^th birthday today and will pick up his PhD in football fitness from Liverpool John Moores University on Monday.

"Dave brings a new voice, experience and diversity to his work," said Mowbray.

"Sometimes a new voice can be a breath of fresh air and the players have taken to him very well from what I've seen.

"He's full of ideas and isn't shy to put his opinions across.

"He's good and we've enjoyed having him in over the last week or so.

"He worked alongside Richard for a week before Richard left so there was a smooth transition.

"Things are working out fine."

The Liverpool-born coach also played for Toffees reserves before spells in Switzerland, Germany and non-league football in this country.

Wilson then spent time training in mixed martial arts before returning to football in a fitness capacity in the late 1990s.

He first met Hawkins when he was training with The FA and, after gaining his Masters degree in Sports Science, went on to work with England's amputee team at two World Cups, the learning disability team and the Under-18s.

After operating in Qatar with some of the world's top football coaches and the royal family for five years, Wilson, who became a father for the first time 19 months ago with the birth of his son Joseph, is now relishing the challenge ahead of him at The Hawthorns.

"I have a lot of respect for Richard and I knew he would have imbedded good foundations here," he said.

"It's my job now to take that onto the next step.

"When I first came to look at the club I was impressed by the coaching staff and, most of all, the manager, who is very forward-thinking.

"Everything just felt right.

"I had a good gut feeling - it's an exciting new challenge for me." 

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