HAPPY New Year. And so it should be.

For Albion, 2012 could be one of the best 12 months of their modern history.

But, let's face it, this one has not been bad either.

A highest top flight finish for some three decades, the appointment of Roy Hodgson, victories over Wolves and Villa (twice). If it isn't remembered fondly now, then it will one day.

But what next?

This coming year Albion can move onto new levels.

And the first stage of that must begin from Sunday - not the visit of Everton, more the opening of the transfer window.

I, like others, was critical of the club's decision to allow certain fringe players to leave during the summer.

I felt it left Albion vulnerable once injuries kicked in. But the cynics like myself have been proven wrong. So far, at least.

Billy Jones and Gareth McAuley have been inspired finds based on what we've seen - a nod to Dan Ashworth's excellent and diligent scouting network.

Ben Foster and Shane Long have improved the team - Zoltan Gera would have too. Craig Dawson definitely will.

And has anyone seen Owen Hargreaves since he smashed one in against Blues in a Carling Cup game? No loss there.

Recent games have seen the Roy Hodgson stamp. Organisation, shape, defensive drills.

Players may not always be inspired by repetition, re-visiting the same old scene but it's working. Let's face it, there are worse ways to earn your money.

I challenge anyone to pick out a more disciplined performance this season than Albion's against Manchester City. Even Alan Shearer was moved to comment.

And what Hodgson didn't do throughout the year is neglect the materials left by Roberto Di Matteo. He simply took a cloth and a tin of Brasso to certain bits.

Yet 2012 is pivotal for different reasons.

In the coming weeks, Albion can put down a marker for their immediate future.

Football's New Year sales are a notoriously difficult market place. Prices go up, Jim White's make-up starts to run down his face and the chairmen of certain clubs terrified of losing their Charlie Adams tend to drop their phones into their bath before unplugging the fax machines. The word 'understands' becomes a password used in a vain attempt to validate any given gossip from an agent (the old password was 'Willie Mckay', by the way - case sensitive where appropriate)

The Baggies traditionally top up with low-fee signings, free-transfers and loan deals.

Their last signing for cash during a January was Nigel Quashie in 2006 - and don't we remember that fondly? - though they were close with Victor Moses in 2010.

Yet with a little calculated and measured investment, Albion could still recruit wisely. The recent run of good form shouldn't mask the fact that Albion are still a little shy in certain areas.

This period is crucial to all at B71.

Villa's decline over the last two years and Wolves' slow progress presents a wonderful opportunity for Albion to establish themselves as the leading light in the West Midlands.

This, by the way, shouldn't be deemed merely as a cosmetic gesture to wind up your friends down the pub.

There are huge potential commercial spin-offs from being the region's top-placed club. We live in difficult times. Austerity and gloom continues to choke us all. At a time where Albion are considering the feasibility of stand redevelopment, the potential to bring in more supporters on lower priced tickets is considerable. The areas along the Midland Metro route have seen a rise in Eastern European immigrants - indeed some have already tapped into their new 'local' club judging by some of the barstool language I heard from a group of middle-aged Poles after a recent Baggies match. All were decked out in club merchandise of some sort. It's four more supporters than Albion had before 2004. And there could be more out there, waiting to decide where their allegiance should lie.

But, most importantly of all, and this is what it's really about, that extra little push in January might just be enough to convince Roy Hodgson that Albion is a project worth sticking with - not least as he enters the final few months of his current contract. That would surely be the best outcome for all.

Happy New Year to you all.