Paul Trollope could not see very far at the Amex last night as the clash against his former club Cardiff was postponed due to fog.

Chris Hughton's new assistant can, however, identify a link between the Albion squad pushing for promotion to the Premier League and the Wales squad he worked with so successfully in the summer.

Trollope (below right) was part of Chris Coleman's coaching staff for the national team, culminating in their memorable run through to the Euro semi-finals in France.

The Argus: Since moving to Albion at the end of November, the ex-Cardiff manager has noticed a clear connection between Gareth Bale and the heroes in red, and the side led by Bruno in the blue and white stripes.

Trollope told The Argus: "That was a great experience (with Wales). It was a great group of players with a great spirit. A lot of the feel of that group you can see in the spirit of this group.

"To pit your wits against Europe's best and progress the way we did was a wonderful experience and for a coach it was a great learning experience as well which you are always trying to do, evolve and improve. I certainly did that through the summer.

"Every successful team has a good spirit and togetherness. I know that is a big word here and you can see that strength of character.

"It was a big, big thing in the summer for Wales. They obviously have quality players but it was under-pinned by a great team spirit and camaraderie. In my time here I've seen that in this group."

One of those strange twists of fate engineered by the footballing Gods has brought Trollope back together with Hughton for a third time.

The 44-year-old was Hughton's coach at both Birmingham and Norwich after cutting his teeth in management with Bristol Rovers.

They began the season as managerial rivals in the Championship but Trollope's Cardiff reign was cut short after 12 games.

His exit was swiftly followed by another, the sudden departure from the post as No. 2 at Albion of another of Hughton's long-time allies, Colin Calderwood, who left to join Aston Villa for family and financial reasons.

The Argus: Trollope (above) was the right man in the right place at the right time to step into his shoes.

"I've obviously worked with Chris at a couple of former clubs and enjoyed a good working relationship and a personal relationship," he said. "I'm delighted to be working under him again.

"Things in football can change very quickly and right here right now I'm very pleased to be here. I've throughly enjoyed the five or six weeks I have been here.

"I can see why now it is a successful programme but there's a lot of hard work to do and we're determined to continue the hard work that has been done so far.

"It's obviously a very different job (to managing). I am fortunate in a way, throughout my coaching and managerial career I have experienced them all.

"Going straight into management at Bristol Rovers at quite a young age was a great experience for five or six years, then I went down the coaching route with Chris and then back in (at Cardiff).

"My time with Wales was a great experience as well. They are vastly different roles and you have to adapt but I came here with a big advantage, knowing how Chris works and what he is about, his values and philosophies. It was quite an easy transition to make."

Northampton-based Scot Calderwood's switch to the West Midlands prompted fears that the unsettling situation in Hughton's support staff might hamper Albion's smooth progress on the pitch.

The change has, in fact, been seamless. Trollope's first game was against Fulham, one of the clubs he served in his playing career as a combative midfielder, after coach Paul Nevin stepped up for the draw against Aston Villa at the Amex.

Trollope's record so far back alongside Hughton reads played six, won five, drawn one.

"I was aware I was coming into a successful programme and the results had been good leading up to the change," he said.

"I'm always focused on winning and trying to assist the manager, staff and squad as much as I can to continue that but, of course, knowing I am coming into that environment, there is always the hope that form continues .

"I'm very pleased that we've managed to string a few wins together. But also I sense a real focus and determination in the group to improve again, keep working hard, because it's a relentless, tough division. There's certainly no complacency.

"We know what we need to do in the second half of the season and I'm pleased to be here and to be part of that."

The journey continues with a nostalgic return to Craven Cottage for Trollope on Monday.

Fulham provided some of the highlights of a playing career which also included spells with Swindon, Derby, Torquay and Northampton, together with nine caps for Wales. Trollope said: "We had a couple of promotions. I stepped down a couple of divisions from Derby at the time to League One and Kevin Keegan, Mister Al Fayed. It was a great journey with Fulham.

"In the end, the spending and quality of player overtook me and I fell down the pecking order but it was a great experience. Jean Tigana, who took us to the Premier League, was a big influence.

"Any of the players who went into coaching afterwards would tell you the influence he had. He brought a great model from France, a way of working which was great at Fulham. We also had a very good squad.

"I also got out of this division (Championship) with Derby so I've got some good feelings in this division. Hopefully I'll get the same feeling in the summer."