West Brom v Sheffield United: Darren Moore seeking to end home discomfort
Albion may appear to be clicking back into gear on the road, but there is one big hurdle still to overcome if they are to announce themselves as serious promotion contenders.
While three wins in a row have flowed away from home – it is at The Hawthorns where their issues have so far been in 2019.
Victories at Stoke, Villa and QPR have seen the Baggies close back up with Norwich, Leeds and tomorrow’s opponents Sheffield United at the top of the Championship, but Darren Moore’s men are yet to taste a home league victory this year.
When asked why Albion’s form contrasts so wildly between the two, Moore said: “It’s different away from home. Maybe away from home, teams have got to come at you more being the home team. That probably suits us more.
“It’s definitely harder, because you’ve got to contend with a home team and a relentless pursuit on your goal. But the boys are sticking together, we have a game plan away from home and we stick to it.
“At the moment, it’s been a group effort. QPR was the same, we took the lead twice and got pegged back twice. It shows the attitude of the players to reset themselves and go again.
“The composure by the players and the ability to be in this position away from home, they didn’t panic and they got the all-important goal.
“We know there are sterner tests ahead on the road, but we just take them one by one.”
Moore may well look to rotate his midfield again tomorrow, with Gareth Barry – imperious against Villa last Saturday – fighting fit after only being used as a substitute in midweek.
Rekeem Harper was another substitute at Loftus Road, but he came on to produce an outrageous backheel in the build-up to the winning goal and could regain his place.
Hal Robson-Kanu will be assessed by Albion ahead of the game, though with Dwight Gayle returning from suspension to add to their riches of attacking talent there is no need to rush him back.
Gayle could go straight back into the starting XI, despite a goal for Jefferson Montero on his full Albion debut.
In the week he has missed two games, six points for the Baggies against Villa and QPR mean the Newcastle loanee’s ban worked in his favour to give him an extended rest.
Gayle netted the winner against Stoke in the game before his dive against Nottingham Forest, taking his form to six goals in six matches, and he will look to pick that straight back up having fallen one behind Jay Rodriguez in their private battle to be Albion’s top scorer this season.
Both though are currently being eclipsed by Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp. The Blades’ marksman has 23 goals in all competitions this term – 22 in the Championship – and was given a breather when his side hammered Reading 4-0 at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
Likely line-up:
Subs: Bond, Adarabioyo, Bartley, Field, Johansen, Phillips, Montero.
Sheffield United (3-5-2): Henderson; O’Connell, Basham, Egan; Baldock, Fleck, Dowell, Norwood, Stevens; Sharp, Madine.
The boss says:
It bodes well for a really exciting packed house at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
Credit to both teams with what we’ve done this season.
Memory lane:
Graham Dorrans, Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas netted in a 3-1 win in January 2010 – the last Hawthorns meeting between the sides.
Key man:
Rekeem Harper will be bursting with confidence after *that* backheel against QPR on Tuesday. The starlet is quickly becoming vital to Albion.
Danger man:
Billy Sharp
No-one has scored more goals this century than Sheffield United’s No.10. Already has a hat-trick from one visit to the West Midlands this season – the Baggies’ backline will hope to be tighter than their Villa counterparts were against the veteran marksman. Signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal yesterday.
