Comment: Reassuring to know West Brom won't gamble the house on promotion

Easier said than done, of course, but it should have been music to the ears of supporters following a few questionable decisions during a few questionable summers.

Albion fans do not need reminding of how important a technical director is, because Dan Ashworth’s shadow still looms large at the club.

But Dowling’s explanation of his role gave a timely reminder anyway. “It’s to take away as many distractions from the manager as possible.

“In the old days the manager got the budget, it was down to him who he signed and if he wanted a physio he’d go and appoint one. Not anymore.

“Darren (Moore) and his staff train the players, coach the players, and win games. We’ll look after everything else – the recruitment, the sports science, the medical department, the academy.”

Recruitment is the most eye-catching aspect of Dowling’s remit, and the one he will be judged on the most.

In recent years, the Baggies have lost their way, and over-stretched themselves in an effort to kick on to the next level.

The club’s two most expensive signings in their history – Nacer Chadli and Oliver Burke – have failed to deliver. Albion lost £8million on the former and have put the latter on a special training regime.

Grzegorz Krychowiak and Daniel Sturridge were only on loan, but they were on bloated wages of more than £100,000-a-week that were never justified on the pitch.

Dowling talked of restoring Albion to the ‘West Brom way’, and while he didn’t mention Ashworth by name, the implication was there.

The new technical director's arrival chimes with Mark Jenkins’s return to the club earlier this year.

The chief executive may not be the most popular figure in Albion’s recent history, but he certainly knows how to balance the books.

There is arguably nobody better to navigate the Baggies through the financial downsizing relegation brings with it.

Even with their parachute payments worth £41.5m, Albion’s income has been slashed in half this season. Their wage bill is still £38m, down from over £80m.

Considering the parachute payments are set to fall to £34m next year and then £15m in the year after, fail to win promotion and the downsizing will have to continue.

Jenkins won’t be afraid to make the necessary tough decisions. But he has also softened during his time away, and is currently operating in an overdraft, something rarely seen during his first tenure.

Even if the Baggies don’t buy anyone in January, they will need to take out a larger overdraft in March because of wage commitments and further payments due on transfers already made.

Albion may have made money in the summer, but they are still paying for last year’s £40m splurge under the previous regime. It is taking time to clear up the mess.

That’s why the club won’t be spending big in January unless they sell someone first.

There is an argument that now is the time to strike, the time to strengthen, because this team has a great opportunity of going up and with one or two more players it should win promotion.

But the tumultuous summer at one of Albion’s rivals, Aston Villa, should serve as a warning of how dangerous it is to gamble the house on going up.

Albion’s financial security used to be worn like a badge of honour.

Under Jeremy Peace and Jenkins the Baggies were one of the most prudent clubs in the Premier League, because they rarely deviated away from their model.

When Ashworth left, that model started to splinter, and it led to the appointment of Tony Pulis, which in turn led to growing calls for ambition from a disillusioned fanbase.

When ambition came under chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman, it failed spectacularly for a number of reasons.

And so now Albion have to rebuild the club on the same foundations that previously worked.

Jenkins is back. But will Dowling be able to step into Ashworth’s shoes? Only time will tell, but at least he’s acknowledging the route he must take.

The Baggies still have one of the strongest, if not the strongest squads in the division and could go up this season.

But even if they don’t, it will not mean financial Armageddon. And that should be reassuring.