West Brom v Brentford: Darren Moore only focused on Bees as derby day looms

But despite the close proximity to that game against Villa, head coach Darren Moore insists his team is looking no further than Brentford.

“I know we’ve got a game at the end of the week, but I’ll focus everything on Monday,” he said. “That’s where my focus is and where the team’s focus is.

“We’re not focusing on the Villa game – it’s all about Monday. I will not think of anything outside of that.”

Moore is acutely aware that this league punishes those who take their eye of the ball.

Even though Brentford are on a three-game losing streak and Albion have won three in a row, he’s not taking anything for granted.

“When you look at the results in the Championship week in, week out, it just goes to show you can never read too much into form,” said Moore.

“It’s all about the next fixture and looking at the opponents in detail. We know the players Brentford have and it’s going to be another tough game.”

One of those players is Romaine Sawyers, a product of Albion’s academy who was released five years ago but linked with a return to The Hawthorns in the summer.

“Rom is developing into a wonderful player,” said Moore. “In terms of him being linked to West Brom, it’d be wrong for me to speak about that.”

Anyway, Albion have enough attacking talent to call on as it stands.

Dwight Gayle hasn’t started any of the last three games, and after winning all three, Moore is likely to name an unchanged line-up yet again.

Kyle Bartley is the only injury concern, as the squad have had five days to recover from the long trip to Swansea.

One new addition will be in the director’s box, where Guochuan Lai will be sitting for the first time this season.

Albion’s Chinese owner picked the biggest games to watch last season, but he hasn’t even picked the biggest game of this week.

Based on the last three matches, he will see a more resolute team with a more direct style of play.

“All the time you’re trying to transform it and move it around,” said Moore, although Jake Livermore was even more candid.

“We’ve had to change our style and adapt,” admitted the midfielder. “Credit to the boys, staff and fans for collectively handling these last three games.

“It’s shown the intelligence of the group, of what we’re trying to build here.”

Livermore and Craig Dawson are both on four bookings, but if they see yellow tonight they won’t be suspended for the Villa match because the EFL’s yellow card amnesty comes into effect after 19 games.

That will allow both players to go hammer and tong at Brentford without any thoughts on Friday, which is exactly how their head coach wants it.

Likely line-ups

Subs: Myhill, Mears, Brunt, Barry, Field, Gayle, Sako

Brentford (4-2-3-1): Bentley, Dalsgaard, Mepham, Konsa, Barbet, MacLeod, McEachran, Canos, Sawyers (c), Judge, Maupay

The opposition - Bees have lost buzz since Dean's departure

When Dean Smith left Brentford in October, the Bees were up in seventh place.

But six defeats in seven games since has seen them plummet to 18th.

They now arrive at The Hawthorns just three points above the bottom three and in desperate need of another kick-start.

Head coach Thomas Frank joined Brentford in 2016 as part of Smith’s coaching staff, and was promoted because he ‘knows the club’s strategy inside out’.

But so far, the 45-year-old Dane has not been able to pick up where his predecessor left off.

“When we are struggling, we need to stick together, we need to look inside ourselves,” said Frank, in the build-up to this match. “Us, staff, fans, everybody. We need to step up and we need to do better.

“The easy thing to do would be for me to criticise everybody, but I don’t think that’s the way to do it.

“We are very honest and direct about what we need to do.

“It is a case of fighting the little moments and changing a few small bits. As a team, we need to defend better.

“Especially the state at the moment, it’s tough, but there are things we can change, that we can work on.

“That’s the only thing we can do, to work on that, and make sure we have the right mentality, attitude and energy levels.

“I don’t think you can blame the players for that at all, but they do need to understand in these situations they need to do more.”

In Neal Maupay, they have one of the league’s most lethal strikers.

Only Nottingham Forest’s Lewis Grabban has netted more so far this season.

But Brentford are too reliant on Maupay in front of goal, particularly now winger Ollie Watkins – who chips in with a few – is injured.

Former Albion midfielder Romaine Sawyers, who was club captain, pulls the strings at No.10, but rarely scores.

Brentford have also struggled at the back recently, and have conceded eight goals in their last three games. They only have three clean sheets all season.

“Sometimes you have a negative spiral and you need to stop it as quick as possible,” said defender Yoann Barbet.

“Because, once you’re down, it’s really difficult to go higher. So we need to realise we are in a bad way.

“We won one of the last twelve, so this is like relegation results. So it’s really not good.

“And I think we know that but we just have to stick together in training and just make sure we die for each other on the pitch and get a win as soon as possible.”

As well as Watkins, they will be without winger Said Benrahma (ankle) and midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo (ankle). Julian Jeanvier is a doubt with a foot injury.

Brentford dangerman

Top scorer Neal Maupay has 13 goals and six assists from 17 league appearances. Lethal in front of goal, 71 per cent of his shots are on target, the highest ratio out of the league’s top strikers. The French under-21 international looks like a steal at £1.6million.

Albion key man

Sam Johnstone has come very close to that elusive second clean sheet recently, but he will need to be at his best against Maupay. Will be disappointed with Swansea's goal at Wednesday, and desperate to bounce back with a shut-out.

Memory Lane

Brentford have never won at The Hawthorns, and the last time the Bees were in West Bromwich, Rob Hulse grabbed a brace in a 4-0 League Cup win. Bernt Haas and Scott Dobie also scored in 2003.

Darren Moore

"The last home game was an absolutely electric atmosphere. It definitely did help us. We’re back in front of them on Monday and hope to get the same."