Kieran Gibbs looks for fast start by Baggies

The Baggies head to the New York Stadium looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Rotherham are among the bookmakers favourites for relegation, but they have tasted defeat just once in their last 10 outings. And Gibbs is expecting a tough game.

“Rotherham are a fast-starting team and play a different style to us,” the full-back said.

“They’re aggressive and have a good home record.

“It doesn’t really matter who you’re playing against.

“Look at our results so far this season. We’ve lost to teams down the bottom end and won convincingly against teams above us.

“No games look after themselves in this league. You have to give everything for every game.”

The Baggies’ unbeaten run has coincided with the team switching from a back three to a back four. But while Rotherham tend to start well, Gibbs said the opening 20 minutes are key to how Albion go about their business.

“We started the season differently to how we’re playing at the moment so it’s a matter of working things out in the opening 15, 20 minutes of games,” he said. “We’re starting to learn quickly as a team about gaining control of a game.

“We say ‘OK, what are the answers? Can we spot ways to unlock a team?’ We’ve got to keep that going.”

The trip to South Yorkshire kick starts what is a frantic festive period for the Baggies.

After hosting Wigan on Boxing Day they then entertain Sheffield Wednesday three days later.

Darren Moore’s side then travel to Blackburn on New Year’s Day.

And Gibbs admits the team is desperate to win tomorrow to kick start the run and give fans an early Christmas present.

“It’s getting close to Christmas now and a lot of the fans are travelling,” he added.

“They’ve been brilliant all season and the last away game (at Sheffield United) especially.

“It’s important for them that we put in another good performance.

“Three points would be a nice, early Christmas present.”