Comment: West Brom grounded this pre-season

Instead of Hong Kong, the Baggies will be travelling to Barnet’s Hive; instead of Deportivo La Coruna, they visit Swindon.

There will be a few die-hard fans disappointed there is no exotic tour to go on this summer, but actually, Darren Moore’s modest pre-season plans make sense.

In the Premier League, there is an argument that playing Paris Saint-Germain – like Albion did two years ago – is good preparation for games against the top half of the division.

But in the Championship? What Albion need this summer is as many reminders as possible of what the EFL is like after eight years out of it.

It is also a continuation of Moore’s back-to-basics approach that served him so well as caretaker and an indication of what sort of manager he will be.

Cutting out the glitz and the glamour of big pre-season tours halfway across the world will keep the players both grounded and refreshed.

Pre-season is supposed to be about preparing the squad for the campaign ahead, not building the club’s global brand in far off countries.

As for the fans, there may be some ruing the missed opportunity of a European tour, but games in the UK will be more accessible to a larger number of supporters who can’t afford the time or the money to go abroad.

The return of the home fixture one week before the season starts is also a wise move, a chance for fans to whet their appetite at The Hawthorns before it all begins again.

For many, it will be the first time they get to see Moore as a permanent boss and by then, the squad could look markedly different.

That game, seven days before the Championship season starts, will be against stronger opposition, a final test before the season starts.

Anyway, the last European tour Albion went on didn’t go too well.

One of the problems in Barcelona was that the players did not wish to be away from their families.

Another problem was that it was squeezed in between two games five days apart - (not that either excuse some the behaviour that went on).

The Baggies had a similarly hectic and draining pre-season schedule last summer that took in nine games in four countries.

This year the squad will be staying in the UK, apart from a five-day training camp in Portugal that kick-starts the summer.

Moore is also hoping to take the squad on another short fitness camp before in the week leading up to that pre-season friendly at The Hawthorns, but it will be based in the UK.

Not only does cutting out the lengthy trips abroad allow the players to see their families during the summer holidays, but it will give them tests that will suit the season ahead.