Boss: I had to clear decks

Speaking for the first time since the transfer window closed at the start of the month Mowbray said he was happy with his work in the transfer market, which saw 13 players come in and eight leave the Baggies.

He insisted a revamp – which included the high-profile departures of Jason Koumas, Diomansy Kamara, Curtis Davies and Nathan Ellington – was essential given growing problems within the camp.

And he revealed he envisaged such a dramatic transformation in the immediate aftermath of May's play-off final defeat at the hands of Derby.

"The vibes had been very much there of a little bit of discontent within the dressing room,"said Mowbray.

"I don't think it was advisable, even during the week building up to the play-off final, that there were players' advisors talking about players leaving.

"There was a lack of focus from certain areas and it was pretty evident that needed to change and the chemistry had to improve.

"I have to give great credit to the chairman for achieving the value on players, some of them, that I was happy to facilitate.

"The chairman got good prices for them which enabled us to bring in the quality footballers that we have and hopefully the club moves on and moves forward."

Mowbray said he was looking forward to moulding a better team ethic with his new look squad after wrapping up his business with the late departures of Davies and Ellington and the beat-the-deadline signing of Roman Bednar.

"Somewhere down the line I hope that we get a cohesiveness and togetherness in the dressing room, a team that cares about each other and wants to fight and win football matches together and play for the jersey and the supporters.

"Let's see how quickly that develops.

"We know we've tried to rebuild a team and we'll be judged on results."