West Brom vs Stoke: Old-boys plotting Baggies' downfall

Last week’s visit to Tony Pulis’s Middlesbrough side ended in a fashion so predetermined it was almost pantomime.

This weekend, it is Albion’s former players, rather than their former boss, who take a turn at attempting to enact some sort of strange vengeance.

Saido Berahino and James McClean each left The Hawthorns under a cloud, but they return to it tomorrow knowing victory will lift Stoke above the Baggies.

If anything proves how quickly the Championship can shift in these embryonic stages, it is that possibility.

This time last week Stoke were in turmoil, while the Baggies were basking in the glory of three wins in a row and (seven) goals scored at home. A week later and the tide has turned – but perhaps only for Stoke.

Darren Moore’s cultural revolution is still in its early stages but the Baggies have won four out of five games since switching to a back three with that trip to Pulis the only blemish.

The caveat is that two of those matches were against League Two sides in the Carabao Cup, and one was against a QPR side who gave up with 30 minutes to go.

Nonetheless, it has been exciting at times, if a little too carefree at the back, where Albion’s main weakness lies.

Craig Dawson’s return to the side is supposed to help plug those leaks, but he will need to play much better tomorrow against messrs Afobe and Berahino than he did against Mansfield.

Who he replaces is up for debate. Tosin Adarabioyo is the obvious choice, having played 90 minutes in midweek, but the young Manchester City defender has looked more comfortable than Ahmed Hegazi, who had a rotten night at the Riverside.

Further forward it is likely to be more of the same, but with Gareth Barry, Rekeem Harper, and James Morrison beginning to knock on the midfield door, there are options breathing down the necks of Chris Brunt and Jake Livermore.

And that engine room is where this battle will be lost or won. Peter Etebo has been the catalyst for Stoke’s revival in the last seven days, and the Potters have also shrewdly signed Ryan Woods from Brentford.

The Baggies, meanwhile, will hope Harvey Barnes can produce at No.10 yet again as they try to build a fortress Hawthorns.

After the opening day defeat to Bolton, Albion have won three home games in a row with an aggregate score of 10-2, albeit it with those same caveats outlined above.

Lose, and that stuttering start that had turned bright will suffer another set-back. Two wins from six is not a good opening, regardless of how many goals have been scored.

Win, and the Baggies exorcise the demons of the Riverside immediately while keeping in touching distance of those above.

The opposition: Stoke and Saido Berahino finally finding some form

After a tough start to the season heaped early pressure on new boss Gary Rowett, pre-season promotion favourites Stoke have finally found a bit of form.

A 2-0 win over Hull City in the league last weekend was built on with another victory by the same scoreline over Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup.

Intriguingly for Albion fans, two former Baggies netted in each of those games.

Against Hull, it was James McClean who got the ball rolling with his first goal in red and white.

Against Huddersfield, Saido Berahino finally broke his 913-day goal drought.

With Rowett’s side on an upward trajectory and those former Baggies coming to the fore, it feels like this could be one of the worst times to play them, just a week after it could have been one of the best.

With Berahino, Albion’s prodigal son, coming home in form, the match is dripping with narrative.

“He needed a lucky break and he’s reacted well,” said Rowett. “I’m pleased for everyone first and foremost, but I’m pleased for him.

“He’s only 25 and he’s got a bright career. It’s a good start for him and he’s got to keep working hard.

“He’s been one of our brighter players and his work-rate has been excellent.

“If you haven’t scored that many goals it’s hard, so I’m pleased for him.

“The first day I came in Saido came to see me and wanted to see where he stood and to discuss why previous regimes had maybe ostracised him, maybe?

“He said he’d been to blame for some of his actions and he was honest, which is the first step for anyone who has done something wrong and wants to start afresh.

“All I said to him was forget me – if you work hard for me then you’ll win me over.

“I told him it’s the rest of his mates he has to win over, he had to earn the respect of his team-mates back and for them to trust him.

“When he scored everybody went over to him, which shows they were all really pleased for him.

“He’s worked hard since pre-season and earned the respect of his team-mates.”

Some of Berahino’s team-mates at Stoke used to be his team-mates at Albion.

As well as McClean, who will be characteristically fired up for this match, Rowett still has former Baggies captain Darren Fletcher in his squad.

However, with Oghenekaro Etebo impressing in midfield, Ryan Woods arriving from Brentford on loan ahead of a permanent deal in January, and Joe Allen also available, Fletcher may miss out.

Rowett spent a lot of money in the summer with the aim of bouncing straight back up, but his side has only looked cohesive in the last seven days.

They can’t afford to lose much more ground on the early pacesetters.

The Boss Says:

'We’ve got a big week with the game against Mansfield, the transfer window closing until January and the match against Stoke.'

Memory Lane:

In December 1988, Don Goodman, Gary Robson and John Paskin all scored twice in a 6-0 rout of Stoke at The Hawthorns in the second tier.

The Key Man:

With competition heating up in central midfield, Chris Brunt could use a classy performance ahead of the international break.

Danger man: Oghenekaro Etebo

The man they call Peter was man of the match against Hull last weekend. His powerful and pacy performance in central midfield dictated play for the Potters, and could prove to be the difference at The Hawthorns tomorrow.

Stop him, and Albion could win the all important midfield battle.