Simon Cox looks to continue making great strides

When it comes to public pronouncements, Simon Cox is keeping things realistic.

But just a few moments in the Albion striker's company in California leaves little room for doubt he is a man riding high on a wave of confidence.

Cox's Albion career took off at the end of last season with a series of pleasing performances and a memorable first Premier League goal.

He carried that form onto the international stage, where his first taste of action for Ireland was sweeter than he could possibly have dreamed.

Now the former Swindon man is gearing up for the new season confident he is a vastly improved player from the fast-talking youngster who arrived two years ago.

"I am a hugely different player," said the 24-year-old, whose stunning equaliser at Tottenham at the end of last season earned him the Baggies' goal of the season crown.

"I am a lot more mentally strong and physically a lot stronger too.

"When I first came here I had just been on holiday to Egypt, I was ill and I wasn't really ready for what was going to happen. I had to wait for my time.

"But now I feel strong and fit and I feel that this is going to be a really good year for me. I hope it will be."

When it comes to targets, however, Cox refuses to get carried away.

The former Reading trainee had to bide his time as he waited for a chance in the Albion first team, even after an impressive burst of goals in the Championship in his first season at The Hawthorns.

A change in formation last season under Roberto Di Matteo left him restricted to a bit-part role out of position as an attacking midfielder.

But the arrival of Roy Hodgson as head coach in February sparked another change in system with Cox handed a regular starting role at the end of the season in support of main striker Peter Odemwingie.

Cox was delighted to take his chance. But, he readily admits, timing was everything.

And he does not believe his brief success in last season's run-in has yet proved him as a Premier League performer. "I felt comfortable but that was probably because when I went into the team we had good momentum," he said.

"If I had got into the team at the time when we were a bit down, around the time Robbie got dismissed, it might have been a different story.

"You can only control your own performances and if my performances had been good then I'd have been pleased. But it's a team game and if your own performances are good but the team are getting beat then that's no good.

"Now if I can keep my momentum going and perform like I did in the last month of the Premier League season and then with the international set-up I will more than happy.

"I am not an established Premier League player yet, so again I am going into this season looking to play as many games as possible. This is another stepping stone for me and hopefully I can keep getting time on the pitch at Premier League level and also at international level.

"I have to keep on being patient and trying to get as many minutes on the field as I can.

"Personally, success would be playing more games than I did last year and scoring a few more goals.

"I scored one Premier League goal, which was good, with four in the whole campaign.

"So with the games I played I was pretty pleased with that. But scoring a few more goals and playing a few more games would be success for me this year." And Cox is relishing the chance to continue his development under two of world football's most experienced coaches.

Hodgson's arrival at Albion brought improved fortunes, while in Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni Cox has a confirmed admirer of his talents after he scored twice in his first four international appearances.

"They are very similar with the way they come across, the way they set up their play and the way they want their teams to play," he said.

"They have two different personalities but it is good man-management skills that win players over and they both enjoy their football.

"Trapattoni's English isn't great, but he was as good as gold with me and he talks to people as much as he can. Even if he just says 'bravo' to you that is a good lift from a personal point of view. If he keeps saying that to me I will be happy."