Tony Mowbray's "refreshing" talks with determined West Brom midfielder

Malian midfield battler Diakite, 24, was Albion's first recruit of last summer and the first half of his debut Baggies campaign was an intriguing one.

Diakite was only selected to start a Championship fixture once by former boss Carlos Corberan, at Sheffield Wednesday in September, where he lasted just 45 minutes after a difficult first half.

The tough-tackling midfielder's next start did not come until December 29, across Sheffield at Bramall Lane, the second game after Corberan's exit.

That proved a potential making of Diakite, who signed from Austrian outfit TSV Hartberg. He was guilty of an error for the Blades' opener, but responded to put in a fine performance and did similar in subsequent starts against Preston and Swansea.

New boss Mowbray has admitted his interest in learning about Diakite, as well as Albion's other overseas players like Uros Racic and Gianluca Frabotta. Diakite put in another stellar showing as a half-time substitute for Alex Mowatt against Portsmouth last week, with his side already 4-0 to the good.

In the former Mali under-20 international Mowbray believes Albion have a player desperate to learn and impress.

"I've watched their videos, all of their clips from all appearances this season, so I've got a feel of what they can do," Mowbray said.

"I've got a feel of Diakite - he's a lovely guy, a nice human being that wants to get better, learn something new every day if he can.

"I just think how refreshing is that? Rather than coming in my office saying 'why am I not playing? I should be in the team' - some people will do that, he just said he wants to learn every day and feels he can contribute.

"I said I hope you understand I'm just in the building. I'm assessing the team but the team will rotate and change as we go on. You've got to make sure when you play I think 'phwoar I'll have to start him next time because he was really good'."

Diakite has caught the eye of supporters who were impressed with his run of form after Christmas.

Mowbray added how the powerful midfielder could prove useful for particular scenarios and how he compares to another of his options in that area, John Swift, who was selected as a starter last week.

The Baggies boss continued: "I talked to him about John Swift, for instance, they play in the same position, possibly. Sometimes we're going to need his (Diakite's) attritional, hard work, grit and fire in the belly to stop opposition, other days we might need a bit of class, quality, to pick a pass no-one else can see on the pitch.

"It doesn't mean I like you or I don't. The team has to try to win, I'm picking the best formula from the pieces, I hope they understand that and it doesn't mean there's any less love from me to them.

"I think he can definitely contribute, I don't sit here thinking we've got Messi around the corner, but I think we've got a whole-hearted, determined football who is here to please and wants to get better.

"He's a really nice, intelligent kid. I would like to make sure I give him the opportunity to be successful and help the team win lots of games. Sometimes players can play themselves out of contention by having opportunities they don't grab, whereas I think this kid is very determined.

"He's not as silky as John Swift or Alex Mowatt, but his other qualities are really impressive. He will be given opportunities."

Mowbray, whose side head to basement boys Plymouth for a Saturday lunchtime clash, said he currently has to find the balance between offering opportunities and focusing on hunting regular wins in the play-off race.

"I don't want to experiment at the moment - I want to win," he added. I think the fans want to win. Where we are in the division it is important we try to win. Not give him a game or see how he does, or it doesn't matter if he costs us a game and we lose - with any player - I'm trying to be pragmatic and put the best team out.

"He might well become a mainstay against a running technician. At the moment we've got Alex who plays through lines, forward, I understand he's not Jayson Molumby with his running power, but he's a lovely player who can control matches. It's just about the balance at the moment."