Boss Tony Mowbray believes Albion can continue to develop Isaac Price to become ‘whatever he wants’ in the game.
Midfielder Price, the £2.5million signing from Standard Liege in January, opened his goalscoring account for the club from right-back in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Hull.
The opener was not enough for all three points as Hull struck back for the Baggies to lose ground in the tight top-six race.
Head coach Mowbray, whose troops are six games unbeaten, believes ex-Everton youngster and Northern Ireland international Price’s best attribute is his energy and Albion will look to develop his technical ability and passing range.
“Isaac Price is doing really well. He’s a young boy who has come in and he’s learning his trade in men’s football.” Mowbray said.
“We’ve still got to hugely improve him in terms of playing off his back foot, playing forward passes if he wants to be a more central midfielder.
“At the moment his legs are his main attribute which is why he can play in slightly wider areas, but not up and down as he’ll never be a winger.
“He has to keep developing. He’s got an ability to get turned in midfield on the ball and run and pick passes. That’s an asset of his and I’m sure we will get there over time.
“He can potentially be what he wants because he’s got wonderful attributes. Hopefully he continues to develop and grow those over the years.”
Price, 21, has played as an attacking midfielder, a deeper midfielder and on the right side of midfield, right wing-back and right-back during his two months or so at The Hawthorns.
He has been hailed as a perfect model of player owners Bilkul Football are trying to bring to the club – young players with potential to develop and add value.
Price was a target last summer and Albion kept tabs and made the move in the winter window.
“He can play anywhere in midfield really,” the head coach added. “I think his legs are his best attribute. I don’t think he can play the passes that Alex Mowatt or John Swift can pick.
“But I think he can run a lot longer and harder and quicker and faster than they can.
“I think he needs a bit of space. In the wider area threatening the goal, getting into the box, not running up and down in straight lines. He needs to learn when to be tucked in, when to play in central areas.
“He’s a midfield player who we like to get around the ball really and win it back for us, rather than pick wonderful passes.”
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