Comment: West Brom's shortlist is evolving but eventually the plates have to stop spinning

It is three weeks since the Baggies lost to Aston Villa in the play-offs, and just under three weeks until the players return for training.

Things are by no means critical. Considering the rebuild facing the squad this summer, this is a crucial appointment that needs to be judged correctly. It is worth taking time over.

This is also the time of year when the football bubble goes on holiday.

There are no players to cast an eye over at the training ground, and the transfer window won’t really grind into gear until the end of the month.

In an ideal world, Albion’s new man would be in place by now, given as long as possible to plan for that rebuild and all the work that needs to be done before the start of August.

It is now almost three months since Darren Moore was sacked. It's true the board did not know which division they would be in up until 11pm on Tuesday, May 14.

Of course, they should have been making contingency plans for either eventuality, ready to enact Plan A for the Premier League or Plan B for the Championship.

But the summer managerial market and the new deluge of possibilities has shifted their options.

Three days after that defeat to Villa, technical director Luke Dowling revealed he had a four-man shortlist for the role.

But that shortlist has evolved, with names like Chris Hughton and Danny Cowley being replaced by Chris Wilder and other unknown contenders.

It’s safe to say Albion’s attempt to capitalise on Sheffield United’s ongoing ownership troubles is a long shot.

There is a possibility Wilder is purely using interest in him to negotiate a better contract at his boyhood club.

Alex Neil did something similar at Preston North End not that long ago, when he was convinced by Peter Ridsdale to stick, rather than twist.

Wilder’s preferred option would naturally be to lead his club into the Premier League. He’s earned it after all, guiding them to two promotions in three years.

But the bitter feud between joint-owner Kevin McCabe and Prince Abdullah currently going through the High Court could change that. All bets are off at Bramall Lane if the Prince wins that battle.

Albion would have been stupid to ignore his advances and the slim possibility such a miracle worker and LMA Manager of the Year, no less, may be available.

Middlesbrough are also believed to be keeping an eye on Wilder.

Opportunity? Or distraction? Those at Albion insist this is dead time when such possibilities could and should be explored.

There are others too, new names who have made themselves available at this natural break-up point between seasons.

It is the reason why this search is dragging on longer than Dowling initially anticipated.

The Baggies have spoken to German boss Bruno Labbadia, and they know the former Wolfsburg manager’s demands.

With 16 years of managerial experience in Germany, he may have what it takes to build a team up from scratch, but interest in him is on hold for now.

Three weeks on, and Dowling’s four-man shortlist isn’t much shorter, there are just different names on it.

This is the first big test of the technical director’s tenure, and it would be unfair to judge him now. Judge him after this summer, when his appointment and his signings have settled in.

Based on previous decisions of 2019, it seems that together, Dowling and chief executive Mark Jenkins like to leave their plates spinning.

They signed three players on deadline day of the January transfer window, leaving a number of options up in the air before deciding.

They took their time giving caretaker boss Jimmy Shan the reins until the end of the season, perhaps understandably so after three wins in a row were followed up by back-to-back defeats.

There is nothing wrong with making considered decisions, rushing into ones as big as this is dangerous.

We live in an age of social media, when everyone wants immediate solutions and answers, and sometimes good things come to those who wait.

But contrast Albion’s managerial search with their namesakes Brighton, who appointed Graham Potter one week after sacking Chris Hughton.

Former Baggies supremo Dan Ashworth is now technical director at the Amex Stadium, and their clinical decision-making and forward planning is in stark contrast to Albion’s.

So far, the Baggies have been intent on keeping their options open. Soon though, they will need to provide a clear sense of direction.

The deafening roar of that play-off semi-final against Villa has stopped ringing in the ears. We’re now nearer pre-season than the end of last season.