The fresh campaign has arrived and numerous Albion supporters likely find themselves somewhere along a spectrum ranging from curious to anxious to concerned.
Enthusiasm exists, certainly. Belief, both unfounded and justified, as well.
There’s also a degree of apprehension. And concern, that certainly exists among the fanbase.
I’m not referring to pessimists seeking validation on social platforms.
I’m talking about genuine supporters encountered during my journey to and from Tromso, passing through, as it happened, four separate European cities.
Yet occasionally the finest experiences emerge from that slightly uneasy starting point. And they tend to reward courage and daring choices.
The close season has been one of transition, with several significant figures and players having departed Albion.
Then, mere moments after the annual demand for a forward was addressed through Promise David, two further well-liked individuals appeared close to leaving.
So what kind of picture do the Seagulls present as they begin their Premier League campaign at home against Aston Villa?
A period of transition
Three summers back, Albion unveiled new acquisitions Ansu Fati and Carlos Baleba to supporters in musical fashion during an early-season home fixture against Newcastle.
Recall Lip Up Fatty and I’m A Believer playing over the public address system?
Now Baleba’s exit represents one driver behind the unrest among, it seems, much of the supporters.
Transformation unsettles people. We understand the Albion philosophy but it has never previously involved offloading this many of their refined, valuable players within a single transfer period.
It may have been disquieting to witness an Albion side without Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Welbeck and Jack Hinsselwood begin their opening fixture.
Each represents a key component of the side we have grown accustomed to watching.
Does Baleba also belong in that category of essential players?
He would have done until last term. Less certain now.
As noted following Welbeck’s departure, we have surely witnessed sufficient evidence to place faith not only in Tony Bloom but also in those individuals Bloom himself places faith in.
But occasionally that confidence must work somewhat harder, and this sense of transformation makes this one of those periods.
A final flourish before the deadline?
That recollection of Baleba and Fati’s introduction also brings to mind the hazards of rushed late-summer negotiations. Thinking of Fati specifically.
Do not underestimate the benefit of completing so much business very early and integrating the new defensive signings plus Zadok Yohanna into the squad.
The same applies to Rodrigo Rego, who was acquired from Benfica and arranged on loan in time to commence pre-season with Castellon.
Bloom favours Albion completing as many signings as possible as early as possible, even though late transactions are those generating the most buzz.
Nobody discusses it presently but early work involving the defenders could prove dividends.
The European element
Various theories and calculations exist regarding how many points or positions teams typically sacrifice due to the additional demands of continental competition.
One must question whether those calculations remain accurate when nearly half the division confronts those European obligations.
Naturally, there is no certainty Albion will confront those challenges as they enter essentially a single-elimination encounter against Tromso.
Fabian Hurzeler’s frustration with the outcome in Norway likely emphasised his desire to rotate his squad wherever feasible on Thursday evenings.
The head coach is, naturally, unfamiliar with European two-legged ties and will encounter his own developmental challenges if the Seagulls progress.
Goals, goals, goals?
Where will they originate? The obvious response and hope is for Promise David to adapt and find the net, and for Charalampos Kostoulas to keep developing.
Welbeck was certainly not a flawless finisher and his scoring records were respectable rather than outstanding.
But he was the leading marksman, he was the finest striker and he was effectively the leader of the attacking operation.
Albion take pride in obtaining goals from numerous different sources but those various sources can still contribute more.
One considers Yasin Ayari’s increasingly sharp eye for goal, Diego Gomez converting the straightforward opportunities, greater output from defenders including Mats Wieffer at set pieces, with Luka Vuskovic potentially assisting in that regard, and Jack Hinsselwood capitalising even more frequently on the excellent positions he frequently discovers.
And greater contributions from Georginio Rutter. Debate his preferred position as you wish but he possesses unpredictable ability and appeared highly motivated during pre-season so this might be the moment to elevate his performance.
Central midfield
Baleba at his peak leaves a substantial void. So does the individual chosen ahead of him during a crucial period last term, James Milner.
But are Albion considering a consistent partnership of Ayari and Pascal Gross in that area, assuming they can provide the necessary defensive solidity?
Even if they are, alternatives will be required. They cannot feature in every match. Three central midfielders in Wieffer, Gomez and Hinsselwood have all been repositioned and successfully so this appears an area where Albion have been weakened.
One awaits with an open perspective to observe what role Malick Yalcouye might fulfil.
The opposition
Certain clubs should perform better once they find their rhythm. Tottenham, Chelsea, Leeds for instance.
Questions will arise regarding Sunderland as they commence a European campaign while simultaneously addressing that challenging second phase.
Brentford, Bournemouth, Fulham, Crystal Palace and, indeed, Albion will have their critics, whom they typically disappoint. Everton simply persist.
Various schools of thought exist regarding Aston Villa, Newcastle and the three promoted clubs.
Not many of those perspectives appear optimistic but Villa possess a clever manager and, more immediately, enjoy playing against Albion home and away.
What must not be overlooked, however, is how the Premier League is oversubscribed.
A big six exists but only four, perhaps five, Champions League positions available.
At least one of those heavyweights will consistently be viewed as underperforming and will then encounter persistent questioning over why their campaign is not proceeding as planned, from media and supporters, which in turn destabilises them and compounds difficulties.
Equally, the era when Albion first entered the division and it seemed half the Premier League were simply aiming for survival has also passed.
Perhaps up to 17 clubs consider they should finish in the top eight or at least in the upper half.
Not all will meet those ambitions, naturally. Perhaps even Albion will not.
But one anticipates the Seagulls hierarchy will remain more composed if circumstances deteriorate and also if they improve than some of those around them at the elite level. That can constitute a significant advantage.
Conference League contenders?
Several points warrant discussion regarding this.
Defeat Tromso first and then we can proceed with that conversation.
So time for concern?
Perhaps, because that is what certain supporters do. Frequently, optimism feels uncomfortable.
But so does transformation. And this has been a summer of transformation.
The forecast of seventh position last term was believed to appear rather foolish at a certain juncture in mid-February.
Without observing the remainder of the transfer window and the second-leg outcome against Tromso, predictions prove extremely difficult presently.
The suggestion would be tenth but it could improve, could deteriorate.
Space exists for measured enthusiasm and apprehension alike.
While many Albion supporters undoubtedly place confidence in the process and certainly in the individual behind it, some validation on the pitch would prove welcome during the opening fixtures.
At present all emotional responses are reasonable following so much transition.
But the most significant factor surely must be trust, constructed upon what we have witnessed firsthand for more than a decade.