West Brom's loan chief Deon Burton: "I probably know or have played for most of the managers!"

When Moore was promoted to work with the first team, it was a role he wanted filling, and the former striker was plucked from the under-13s to take up a dual role overseeing the loanees as well as helping with the under-23s.

Burton’s 23-year playing career took in 18 clubs across all divisions from the Premier League down to National League North, which made him the perfect man for the job.

“I guess I ticked all the boxes for the job requirements,” he said. “Obviously having played the game myself, at most levels through the leagues from Premiership down to non-league I think I’ve got a great understanding of what it takes out there.

“I probably know or have played for most of the managers! It definitely helps being on first name terms with quite a lot.

“It’s an easy connection when either they pick up the phone or I do. I thought it was the right job to take when I got offered it.”

Burton’s busiest periods are during the windows, but it’s still a taxing role in the season as well.

Albion currently have ten players out on loan, although Burton’s primary role is to keep tabs on the seven youngsters plying their trade in the lower leagues.

“All the games are monitored and I get out to one or two each week,” he said. “Probably a Tuesday and a Saturday.

“Then I’ll feed back all the information from not only the game I’ve seen and the players I’ve watched, I’ll go back and watch games from the other players on loan.

“Again I’ll feed that back to the staff because they’re our players and the management need to know what’s going on and how they’re doing.

“Each week a report goes in on each individual, what they’ve done well and what they’ve not done well.

“I speak to the manager and get his thoughts on the game. I also speak to the players, at least once or twice a week to make sure they’re alright where they are.

“The ones further afield, making sure their accommodation is okay and little things like that.

“I go into the clubs as well. For example, the week before last I took in training at Walsall (where Albion have Jack Fitzwater and Kane Wilson).

“I sat down with the manager, watched training to see what they’re working on because sometimes I might see something on a Saturday if I go to watch Walsall and think ‘hang on a minute, that’s not we’re about’.

“Knowing what the manager wants there might be different to what he wants on a Saturday and getting an understanding of what he’s been told and then you realise it’s for their benefit because he’s taken on information from the manager he’s under at the minute.

“We get them back once every six weeks minimum. Just to get them back in the building.

“They’re our players. So they get on the West Brom kit and train with either the 23s or the first team.

“We do some testing, make sure their fitness levels are still where they should be and make sure they are hitting the individual targets we set them.”

As well as Fitzwater and Wilson on loan at Walsall, Albion have defender Dara O’Shea at League Two Exeter, Kyle Jameson at National League Barrow and goalkeeper Ben Pierce at non-league Redditch United.

This week, midfielder Alex Bradley joined Havant & Waterlooville of the National League on loan thanks to a friendship between Havant boss Lee Bradbury and Albion boss Moore.

“They haven’t had too many minutes,” admitted Burton. “Obviously it’s great experience for Dara, he’s jumped up about three leagues from where he was last year.

“He hasn’t played as much as we want him to, but when he has he’s been outstanding.

“I’ve only brought back good reports when I’ve been to watch him and I’ve seen all his games so far.”

Defender Max Melbourne is another player out on loan, but he's north of the border at Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle.

“He’s in and out of the team,” said Burton. “They’ve just sacked their manager so it will be interesting to see what happens with the new manager.

“Hopefully I’ll get up there before Christmas and catch one of his games.”

Burton is a Jamaican international like Moore, and he’s been impressed with how his predecessor has taken to the head coach role.

“The proof is out there for everyone to see,” added the former striker. “He’s been a manager for three months and has got two manager of the month awards. That says it all.

“I’m seeing first-hand the effort and the hours he and the first-team staff put into each day and each preparation for the game you understand why they’re doing so well. It would have been a pleasure to play in this team.”

Burton, like Moore, has got all of his coaching badges, but he’s not looking to replicate that pathway just yet.

“One step at a time, I’ve only been in the job for three months!” he said. “Never say never, I’ll just take every day as it comes.”