The Local Lowdown: West Bromwich Albion
We asked opposition expert Joseph Chapman, West Bromwich Albion writer for Birmingham Live, to preview the Friday night showdown at The Hawthorns from the home team’s point of view...
West Brom have occupied fifth place in the table since November. What has this season’s consistency and success been built on?
In short, their ability to adapt married up with their home form. It's not been a smooth campaign in terms of squad fitness and, even now, there are a host of players missing – some of them won't be back until the end of the season, if at all – and Albion have also had to contend with the absence of two players whose countries went the distance at AFCON.
Carlos Corberán has continuously found ways to win games without important players, though, and – as I say – especially at The Hawthorns. They've won their last five league games on home soil. In truth, that's not too dissimilar to last year and the entirety of Corberán's reign. Albion have simply been brilliant at home since he arrived.
Carlos Corberán. (Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
It’s five straight league wins at The Hawthorns with only one goal conceded in that time. Is there a common theme to how those games have played out?
They've scored early a fair bit this season. They were ahead after 30 seconds against Cardiff on Tuesday. They also had first-half leads against Leeds and Blackburn.
What I would say about Albion generally this season is that, home or away, the first goal has been key – if Albion get it, they rarely relinquish their lead or drop all three points from a winning position. If they concede it, as they did at St Mary's, they don't often take too many points from losing positions.
Which players have been key to Albion’s positive results?
In the earlier stages of the season it was John Swift, who was magnificent up until October when he suffered a calf injury. Since then he's had niggles and hasn't been back to his best.
Albion's midfield pairing Okay Yokuslu and Alex Mowatt have both been crucial, as has Cedric Kipre in defence – he's been a revelation. Going forwards, Brandon Thomas-Asante has hit double figures and new signings Mikey Johnston and Andi Weimann have made a big impact early doors, too.
New signing Andi Weimann has impressed. (Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Saints’ 25-match unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday night. Was Carlos Corberán asked about that after the midweek win over Cardiff, and will Albion see this game as an even bigger opportunity now?
Carlos is very much in the mode of the game he's just seen, post-match! He'll have watched the Cardiff game again on Wednesday to see where Albion can improve, before turning his attentions to Southampton following that.
It's a big game on Friday night, for obvious reasons. For Southampton, they have a need to respond which hasn't been the case for some time. For Albion, it's an opportunity to keep up the heat on those above and try to put more distance between themselves and seventh, heading into the weekend's games.
Saints will be backed by a sold-out away end. How is the atmosphere at The Hawthorns this season?
The atmosphere has largely been good, as it has been for Corberán in general since he was appointed. The stadium paid tribute in the 12th minute to the injured Daryl Dike on Tuesday night, which was a lovely touch.
Obviously the less said about the Wolves FA Cup game the better, but generally Albion supporters turn up on nights like this – as they did against Leeds shortly after Christmas.
How do you see the game going on Friday night?
I'm intrigued to see how Southampton go. I imagine they'd have expended a fair amount on Saturday in digging out a win which wasn't a given at half time. That maybe told on Tuesday night.
Plenty of others who watch Southampton more closely will have a much better judgement on what to expect, but bearing in mind Albion's home form, the boost they'll receive from Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana returning and the unpredictable response of Saints, I quite fancy the Baggies to edge this.
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