Bristol City v West Brom: Poser to solve for James Shan

The Baggies are wary of their fellow play-off contenders as they are well-versed in a couple of formations.

A switch to 3-5-2 has instigated their rise into the top six, but they are also comfortable with four at the back.

And Shan reckons Albion rarely faced teams so flexible in their previous second-tier campaign to this one, in 2009/10.

“They are very, very able and capable with the personnel they have to mix their game,” he said.

“Lee (Johnson) has done a very good job down there.

“They play an attractive brand of football and they have a little bit of everything, they can control games.

“That’s the beauty of the Championship. It can differ each week.

“From our last experience of being in the Championship, you could probably bank on 75 or 80 per cent of teams playing the same formation, the same way. But it can be different every week now.

“That’s credit to the quality of the league, the players at this level, and the coaches.

“Lee has done a very good job down there.

“They’re a good outfit, and they have the ability to mix their game very well.”

The Robins set out with three at the back against Wigan at the weekend, but switched to four at the back on the hour and ended up drawing 2-2.

Shan admits that ability to change does make it difficult for the Baggies to know what they will face.

“I was really intrigued to see what they would do on Saturday,” he said.

“Wigan matched them and on 60 minutes they (Bristol) made three changes and went to a back four.

“I’m a little bit uncertain as to what they’re going to bring.

“As staff, you have to prepare for both eventualities – a back three or back four.

“They have some consistencies between shapes, so we’ve got some benchmarks on how they look to play. They’ve had a very good run playing with the back three, so will he continue? I’m not too sure.

“We’ve prepared for both shapes.”

Albion are looking to right the wrongs of Saturday’s defeat at Millwall.

And they are hoping to have a couple of defenders back in the fold.

Ahmed Hegazi is suspended but should be replaced in the centre of defence by one of either Craig Dawson or Kyle Bartley.

Dawson missed out at The Den through sickness and Bartley with a hamstring problem.

On the pair, Shan added: “Craig just needs to get his hydration and nutrition right.

“Kyle was back in training (on Monday) and was in over the course of the weekend, so he’ll be in contention. He’s trained fine.”

Likely line-up:

Subs: Bond, Bartley, Townsend, Harper, Barry, Murphy, Edwards.

Bristol City (3-5-2): O’Leary, Webster, Kalas, Wright, Hunt, Dasilva, Pack, Patterson, Brownhill, Diedhiou, Taylor

The opposition: Bristol City eager to cement play-off place this time

They’re a side who have been threatening to be in the play-off picture for a couple of seasons before ultimately coming up short – but seven points in the last week week have put Bristol City right in the frame for this season’s shake-up.

Those points have seen City firm up their play-off credentials.

However, the last-gasp equaliser conceded to strugglers Wigan Athletic on Saturday – coupled with Villa snatching victory at Sheffield Wednesday in added time – means the Robins go into tonight’s clash with the Baggies at Ashton Gate in sixth spot.

However, they will be aiming to climb above the claret and blues (who they face at Villa Park on Saturday) and put themselves within five points of visitors Albion – with a game in hand.

Johnson was clearly frustrated at conceding the late leveller against the Latics.

He said: “We should have defended better with only a minute left but that is Championship football.

“In midweek we could have been three down at Middlesbrough and ended up winning 1-0. On Saturday, we had chances to put the game to bed before the

equaliser.

“We had to make attacking changes after a poor first half and, while they worked, it also meant we didn’t have enough defensive players on hand to protect our lead.”

Following a run in which City took just two points from five games prior to the international break, Johnson is at least satisfied with the response since.

“We have still taken seven points from three games and are well placed to achieve our play-off aim,” Johnson added.

“There was a sign of tiredness after a tough week on the road. I wasn’t happy with our first-half display and needed to freshen things up. In the end we are disappointed not to have managed the game better but we will regroup and go again for a very big game against West Brom.”

That view was echoed by long-serving City midfielder Marlon Pack, who now wants the Robins to show their mettle for the visit of Albion and ensure they get into the play-off picture this season after previous disappointments.

“For me personally, it’s just going for it a bit more, trying to play without any fear,” the holding midfielder said.

“Not saying that we didn’t do that last season but we’re in a great position, this is where we all want to be as professional footballers.

“Especially in the Championship; you want to be fighting for promotion, you want to be in and around the play-offs. That’s the aim at the start of the season so we’re in there.

“We haven’t achieved anything yet but let’s go out with a real energy and willingness to win games, and win games for each other.”

Pie and a pint:

The Nova Scotia and the Rose of Denmark, both a 15-minute walk from the ground, welcome away fans. A pie at the ground costs £3.70.

Memory lane:

Two goals from Ginger Ninja Lee Hughes helped Baggies to a 3-1 win at Ashton Gate in 1998.

The other goal came courtesy of Jimmy Quinn.

Key man:

Craig Dawson

Missed out due to sickness at Millwall when Ahmed Hegazi saw red. Will be needed to marshal Albion’s defence.