If West Midlands Police, music division, are reading this then they might wish to take a few notes – Paul Scharner is back in town and he’s threatening to cause a nuisance. With intent.

Nothing illegal of course. Just a few crimes against music and general good taste.

I’m not joking. Type in the names ‘Opus’ or ‘Live is Life’ into your YouTube search engine. Not great is it?

But then you would expect no more than obscure Austrian rock from West Bromwich Albion’s resident maverick.

That he even has a ‘Matchday’ playlist on his iPod might come as a surprise to anyone who has come into contact with the colourful Baggies man.

Scharner is not a conventional footballer. Not for him the trappings of most modern Premier League stars.

No drink, no nightclubs, no excesses. He takes his professionalism seriously and is an ideal role model.

When he joined Albion, Scharner took the entire first-team squad to a restaurant in Sutton Coldfield for a bonding session.

That he wasn’t afraid to perhaps annoy a few of them with some choice words during Albion’s dip in form speaks volumes for his dedication to his trade and his diligence to the club who employ him.

But the man who once quizzed supporters’ club officials about the club’s history and traditions, has his own quirky way of preparing for matches.

While the Baggies dressing room largely rocks to cliched footballers’ fare like R’n’B, you’re more likely to find Scharner tapping his feet to a bit of mid-1980s Europop.

“I love classical music to modern pop but also oldies,” said Scharner. “Mozart brings me down and takes me away from football. I spend time imagining how he pieces his music together. But I wouldn’t use that before a game.

“I have a very mixed taste in music and I do have music for motivation. I have matchday music on my iPod to help give me a push. I have a few Austrian titles but some rock as well. It gets me in the mood, it helps focus my mind.

“Paul Simon, INXS, A-ha, David Bowie as well – I love my music. And this is what I put on when I go to the match.

“I have some Austrian pop music. ‘We Not Speak Americano’ – isn’t that good? I like that one a lot.

“Actually, one of the songs I like is Live Is Life by a band called Opus. They were Austrian and very good. It is the most popular of songs in Austria.

“But after games there is no music. I have three boys, Constantine, Benedict and Paul-Pius and I spend time with them. I live in Sutton Coldfield during the week and away from my family so after the game I go back to Warrington.”

The former Wigan Athletic man certainly believes that Roy Hodgson is hitting the right note since his arrival at The Hawthorns.

The Baggies boss faces a struggle keeping Albion in the top flight but his work and diligence to the team’s weaknesses has been appreciated.

Scharner has noticed a marked improvement since he took the reins and gave an insight into how training drills have been altered to bring the team back into form.

“Roy Hodgson has always been successful. We are actually unbeaten in five games and you can see his work in the team.