The lack of transfers is worrying. But that can be resolved in one week.
I agree the lack of visible transfer activity (cue announcement) is very worrying. Not sure it can be resolved in a week!
Currently 9 down on the sqaud at the end of last season and I think we will lose Rondon, Phillips, Nyom (All on last year of contract) plus maybe Livermore, Harper, JRod and HRK over the next few weeks too. We have just over a month, they have to be looking at nearly 3 players a week coming in. Not very West Brom.
If losing 12-16 players (from the end of last season) turns out to be a good guess then I would be happy with 10-13 replacements as some of last seasons players had minimal impact - we wouldn't have noticed if we didn't have Montero, Myhill and Hooihan, and Mears and Murphy didn't make that much impact either.
The two players that are most speculated upon are Krovinovic and Chalobah... both loans. Only 3 more loans after these two. We need to actually start signing players. The 'didn't have a full pre-season' excuse is going to be absolutely rampant!
Does the loan window still stay open until the end of August?
If we're going to play 4-2-3-1 then, at a minimum, we need:
1 x right back + players capable of covering
2 x CBs
1 centre mid
2 attacking mid
2 wide attackers/wingers
2 forwards
This is assuming that O'Shea/Fitzwater (one of) , Edwards and Leko can make some sort regular contribution too.
I expect a core, strong squad of about 16 and other players chipping in.
Johnstone, Bartley, Hegazi, Gibbs plus maybe staying Livermore and Jrod and maybe stepping-up Field and Harper. Lots of gaps. Lots of work. Can't really afford for everything to be on hold waiting to sell players first.