Paul Barber knows what he wants to give the many people who keep asking him questions.

He realises what they are asking him for. Demanding, even.

But right now he cannot give it as Albion, like all of us, struggle with the realities of coronavirus.

What everyone requires right now and what cannot be provided can be summed up in one word – Certainty.

Barber is very much the public face of Albion in these troubled times, be it to media, employees, fans or fellow football administrators.

Those rather nice white blinds in what is presumably his living room have become familiar of late as he talks to an array of people via Zoom conferencing technology.

And a pattern has emerged to him during his many discussions.

Albion’s chief executive and deputy chairman told The Argus: “The fans, just like everyone, are craving certainty.

“I think that is the thing that I have learnt now from all the conferences I have done, whether it has been with staff, media, fans, fellow chief executives.

“I did the FA council meeting as well, with about 120 of us by video conference.

“That was another entirely unique experience.

“Even there, it was no different.

“We are craving certainty and clarity.

“In a very uncertain world at a very uncertain time, how can you bring about some certainty for me?

“Football is important to me. Tell me when it is going to start again.

“Tell me when I can start watching matches again.

“Will I be able to go to the stadium? If not, when can I come?

“When I do come, do you think it is going to be with a full crowd or a reduced crowd?

“People’s lives have literally been turned upside down, not just from a financial point of view or, God forbid, from a health point of view.

“But their normal lives have been totally changed. We all know that.

“When it comes to football, you have all those things we have all taken for granted.

“Turning up at the Amex, having a pint of Harvey’s, getting a Piglets Pantry pie at half-time.

“Jumping back on the train to go into town with your mates because that is what you always do.

“All of a sudden it has gone and it is a real shock to the system for everybody.

“On top of that you have got that worry over family’s health and friends’ health – and when is it going to end?

“Am I still going to have a job? If I do have a job, is it ever going to be the same again?

“If I have a job, will my firm recover financially?”

It is not just in football that Barber can see the quest for certainty.

He added: “When I woke up on Monday, the Prime Minister wasn’t in intensive care.

“That happens and suddenly elevates the crisis to another level.

“Then there is the question of leadership. All of a sudden there is more uncertainty for people.

“Again, watching the news media, the most important thing they wanted after that announcement was clarity.

“Who will be in charge? Who would be in charge if he got sick?

“And what would happen to government if they all got sick?

“Immediately, the certainty thing came up again. It was remarkable.

“It was the same routine of seeking some kind of certainty and clarity in an uncertain situation.

“There are so many uncertainties brought about by something which, six or seven weeks ago, seemed like a distant virus affecting another country on the other side of the world.

“It is truly remarkable and shocking and quite frightening for everybody, I think.”

Barber is fielding questions from fans in a series of video forums and has been delighted with the response.

He said of the first forum on Monday: “They were a very good group of people, very intelligent, smart questions.” But he cannot yet give the answers he would most love to deliver.