Shoots of optimism for the Baggies after squad announcement

THERE was nothing particularly unexpected as you digested the list of players Albion had retained and, more pertinently, those they had released, when the club confirmed who would be leaving The Hawthorns this week.

- JOSEPH CHAPMAN

But there were one or two eyebrows that might've been raised as you scanned the list of academy products. We already knew beforehand that John Swift and Grady Diangana would be leaving.

The other notable departure was that of Semi Ajayi, who has made a more substantial contribution during his six years with Albion, but whose final campaign was rather unfortunately disrupted by injury. He never really had the opportunity to earn another deal.