West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion go head-to-head this weekend.
The Hammers go into the game off the back of a morale boosting 2-0 win over Huddersfield while the Baggies were soundly beaten 3-1 by Brighton.
Simply getting the win was all that mattered for Slaven Bilic last time out after finding himself under intense pressure following defeats in their opening three Premier League games.
But after the dust settled on a crucial three points many pundits and supporters questioned where exactly West Ham were heading with no discernible style or identity in the way the play.
For much of the game against the Terriers West Ham went long to Andy Carroll and it certainly proved effective.
On Saturday a trip to the Hawthorns pits Bilic against the master of playing the percentages, Tony Pulis.
Both sides are physical and likely to go long for large periods.
And Hammers ‘keeper Joe Hart has admitted on the club’s official website the game will be a bit of a throwback.
“It’s not going to be one for the football purists!” he told whufc.com.
“It’s going to be a game full of heart and desire and the best team is going to win.”
Hart’s comment is harmless enough and very much lighthearted.
But with pundits and supporters questioning where West Ham are going under Bilic it will give some fans cause for concern.
After all West Ham are the academy of football and supporters expect a certain style of play.
Meanwhile many West Brom fans have voiced their disapproval of Pulis’ ‘negative’ brand of football.
Neither manager will care too much what people say about their styles as long as they get the three points come Saturday.
It all depends on where you stand over whether football is an entertainment business or a results business.
Only a handful of top teams regularly have both.
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