West Brom 2 Stoke 1: Five lessons learned from the win

Team is growing into new system

Albion are in a transitional phase, but when that’s the case, you need to see development over time and pick up results on the way.

On Saturday, the team looked much more well-oiled than it has done since changing to the 3-4-1-2 system.

The first half proved there are still kinks that need ironing out, but the more games Sam Johnstone and the back three play together, the better their decision-making will get and the more options they’ll be given by their team-mates.

Central midfield can work together

Chris Brunt and Jake Livermore haven’t always convinced this season, but mainly when they’ve been overrun in midfield.

The main concern when the window shut was the lack of dynamism in midfield, but Livermore answered that question with aplomb on Saturday.

Brunt was also improved, and showed why his passing range is important at the base of midfield.

On paper, those two complement each other well, particularly with Harvey Barnes just ahead of them, but now we are starting to see it bear fruit on grass too.

Gayle force wind blows into the Hawthorns

Albion’s new striker has started four games so far, and in those games he’s scored three goals and won three penalties, all of which were converted.

The 28-year-old has quickly built a bond with supporters, thanks to his infectious grin and ruthlessness in the box.

Having worked his way up from non-league, there is also an insatiable hunger to succeed and chase down balls.

But when it’s matched with the sort of quality that brought about his brace, that’s a deadly combination.

Defence has been shored up

The only time Stoke looked like scoring until Erik Pieters lashed in a late consolation goal was when Albion got themselves in trouble at the back with their passing game.

Craig Dawson’s return added more steel to the backline and there were improved performances from Ahmed Hegazi and Kyle Bartley.

They still need to work on that passing, but the defensive errors are ebbing away.

Apart from one moment of madness at the end of the Middlesbrough game, they’ve dealt with aerial balls into the box much better for 180 minutes now.

Atmosphere at the Hawthorns is best in years

Whether it’s the prospect of winning more games, the style of football, the universally-adored man in the dug-out, the cheaper ticket prices, or a combination of all of those, there’s no denying The Hawthorns is a fun place to be again. And the fans are returning.

Saturday’s attendance of 25,183 is better than the average home gate for the past four seasons.

Albion have now won four games on the trot at home in all competitions, and there are early signs it could be a fortress this season.