Sam Field is growing up fast at West Brom

"But I never stopped being motivated or stopped trying. If someone told me I couldn't do it I would have stopped, but it never got that far. Obviously there was doubt, but I'm glad I stuck with it."

Last week 18-year-old Field was handed a new four-year contract. It came just four months after he penned his first professional deal with the Baggies, a sign of just how rapid his development has been.

Eighteen months ago the deep-lying midfielder was a 17-year-old playing in the under-16s.

One growth spurt later and the silky smooth passer had the physique to match his talent.

"It's gone really quick," said Field, who is surprisingly well-rounded for someone so young. "A year ago I wouldn't have expected it myself, so to be in this position is brilliant."

The club have kept faith in the midfielder, who joined the club when he was eight years old, for roughly a decade, and now that hard work is paying off.

There's a feeling in the corridors of Albion headquarters that Field could be an important player in years to come. So who was it that helped him shake off those doubts?

"All the academy staff to be honest, they've been brilliant. Especially (former Under 18s coach Aaron) Danks, whose gone on to England. I have to thank him a lot. But all the staff in general have been brilliant.

"They were always going to try and hold me back when I was a bit younger and save me. I put my trust in them and luckily it paid off."

He also owes a lot to Tony Pulis, who plucked him out of the under-21s alongside Jonathan Leko and Tyler Roberts six months ago and stuck him into first team training.

Having impressed in pre-season, Field was then given the responsibility of starting in central midfield against Bournemouth and Middlesbrough, when he was man of the match.

"The gaffer's been brilliant," admitted the teenager. "It's not easy chucking youngsters into the Prem now. I'm very grateful, he's given me the chance not once but twice already this season."

The 18-year-old hasn't played since then, with Pulis wary of burning him out. And now that Chris Brunt and James Morrison have returned from injury, competition for places in midfield is fierce.

Field understands why Pulis is drip-feeding him minutes and may prefer experience over youth in certain games.

"It's a difficult world to live in," he said. "There's a heck of a lot of pressure to deal with playing in the Premier League.

"I understand why he's doing it and the more games I play, hopefully he won't have to keep conserving me so I can start playing more and getting a run of games in the team."

Until that next opportunity arises, Field will continue working hard on the training pitch and learning from the wealth of experience in the Albion dressing room.

Tony Pulis says Field has the potential to be a first-team regular for years to come, but says he's just one of four youngsters with promising futures.

The 18-year-old midfielder is knocking on the door of the team alongside winger Jonathan Leko, 17, and full-back Kane Wilson, 16.

Tyler Roberts, 17, is currently on loan at League One Oxford United, but Pulis has high hopes for all of them.

"Sam for me is an exceptional talent.," said Pulis. "He's got a fantastic future in front of him and we're just absolutely delighted that we've been able to get him to sign another contract.

"Sam's got a good family. They're very sensible, he's got his feet on the ground and I think he's going to be quite an exceptional player in this club."

When he was asked if Field could be Darren Fletcher's successor in central midfield, he said: "I don't see why not."

"With Tyler, Kane, and Leko, there's four young players there," he added.

"It's been important for me and the football club to get those tied down because they're all local lads who we're hoping will come through and be part of this football club in the next five or six years.

"They've got real talent."

The international break gave Pulis an opportunity to cast an eye over some other academy players, with so many senior professionals away on international duty.

The head coach has been complimentary of the club's academy in the past, and once again, he was pleased with what he saw at first hand.

"We worked the youngsters last week," he revealed.

"The under-18s and some of the 16 year olds were involved with the senior players and they loved it. They really done well for themselves.

"I've seen players I didn't know down in the academy and it's been nice to see it.

"Although I try and keep a tab on things through other people, it's always nice to see them work and train myself."

There's an unsurprising answer when he's asked which player has taken him under his wing.

"I'd say Fletcher. He's a brilliant role model to have at the club. What's he done at Manchester United is unbelievable."

They may be separated by 14 years but Fletcher and Field are similar players in many ways. Both like to sit at the base of midfield and dictate the game with their pinpoint passing.

"We have very similar playing styles," admits Field. "Although I'm obviously left footed, that's the only difference really."

Could the teenager be his captain's natural successor when the Scotland international eventually retires?

"If it gets to that point, brilliant. I'm not looking to do that, I'm just looking to play. But I'm not arguing with that at all, it's good pressure to have."

It's no secret that Field is a childhood Albion fan, who was brought up to support the Baggies by his dad Trev.

And he honed his skills in the back garden with older brother Tom, 20, a handy futsal player who is currently studying a Business degree at the University of Bath.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but he's not too bad to be fair!" laughed the younger brother. "We've always been competitive against each other, but we always will be. I'd like to think I am winning at the minute!"

Does he have a closer affinity to the Albion fans because he's from a Baggies-mad family?

"I guess so, but I'm just another player, I'm no different," he said. "When you support the club you play for maybe it is extra special to be honest.

"If anything, results hurt me just a little bit more because obviously I'm a fan as well and want the best for the club."

Although things can change rapidly in football, it feels like Field is starting out on a long journey with the Baggies.

He's grown out of those confidence problems and now he's brimming with ambition, although still keeping his feet on the ground.

"Rest of the season I just want to keep getting in and around the squad, and hopefully getting a few more starts. There's lots of games left so plenty of chances," he said.

"Looking further into the future I'd say, just playing as many games as possible in the Prem. It should be in the Prem with this club so let's just see where that takes me."