West Brom and West Ham meet this weekend with both sides looking to bounce back from defeats. These are 4 talking points for Albion fans to ponder ahead of this weekends’ clash.
1) Tension in the stands
It was a tough weekend for both sets of supporters last time out. Fights broke out at the Olympic Stadium as Watford overturned a two-goal deficit to beat the Hammers. While at the Vitality Stadium, Albion fans voiced their displeasure with Tony Pulis’ brand of football, following an uninspiring 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth.
Away from the mayhem of the Olympic Stadium, we can expect West Ham fans to bring their usually noisy and trouble-free away support, but it remains to be seen what the atmosphere is like in the home end. Albion fans will undoubtedly get behind their side from the outset, but how long will that last if they are subjected to another turgid home performance?
2) Winless at home
Albion are without a win at the Hawthorns in 6 games – with their last home win coming against Manchester United on the 6th of March. During that time, Albion fans have been subjected to despairing defeats to Watford, Norwich and Saturday’s visitors West Ham.
Albion have struggled on the front foot in recent home games and it may take a typical Tony Pulis performance to grind out a win on Saturday. With home games against Tottenham and Manchester City to come, Albion need halt this poor home form before the Hawthorns’ atmosphere becomes toxic.
3) Formation
Will Pulis stick with 4-5-1 or go back to 4-4-2? Albion looked toothless with one up front against both Bournemouth and newly-promoted Middlesbrough. Rondon and Berahino, respectively, looked isolated in the lone striker role and are in desperate need of more support.
That could mean partnering Rondon and Berahino – with the latter dropping into a deeper role when West Ham have the ball. It would mean leaving out one of the competent but unspectacular midfield trio of Sam Field, Darren Fletcher and Claudio Yacob. Pulis must find a way to get the most out of new signing Nacer Chadli, who will surely make his home debut on Saturday. He could be the key to ending Albion’s dismal home form.
4) Dealing with Payet
Dimitri Payet was one of West Ham’s few bright sparks in last weekend’s defeat to Watford and will likely start again at the Hawthorns. Payet pulled the strings in the last fixtures between these two sides, as West Ham came away 3-0 winners.
Pulis may stick with a midfield five to counteract the silky Frenchman but if Payet gets going will be a tough task to stop West Ham. If Payet plays out wide, Brendan Galloway could face his toughest afternoon in an Albion shirt so far.
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