West Brom and Sheffield United both aiming for that first victory

The Baggies entertain Sheffield United tomorrow knowing the time has come to turn positive performances into points.

Like Albion, Chris Wilder’s side are yet to win in the Premier League this season.

After Burnley’s victory over Crystal Palace on Monday, they are now the only teams in the division boasting that unwanted record.

And while it’s still relatively early days, both teams know they cannot keep letting opportunities to gain that elusive first win slip through their fingers.

For Albion, it’s about finally getting the points their performances deserve.

There is no doubt the Baggies were too easy to play against at the start of the campaign.

But Slaven Bilic’s switch to a 3-5-2 formation has made them much harder to beat.

In that system, the Baggies really should have taken points from their last two outings – against Tottenham and Manchester United.

They were the better side for long spells against Spurs with a late lapse in concentration allowing Harry Kane to net an 88th-minute winner.

While it’s been well documented what happened at Old Trafford, with VAR controversially denying the Baggies a penalty with the game goalless.

It appears this is the system that brings the best out of this group of players.

Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley both benefit from playing alongside Branislav Ivanovic in the back three.

Darnell Furlong and Conor Townsend have excelled in the wing-back role, while Matheus Pereira has shown he can be just as effective in a midfield three as he is in the number 10 role.

The outstanding Conor Gallagher will operate alongside him in the middle of the park. But Bilic does have a decision to make as to who joins them.

After a spell out of the side, Romaine Sawyers impressed at Old Trafford.

But Jake Livermore is likely to be available again having previously tested positive for Covid-19.

Bilic also has to decide who will join Karlan Grant up front.

Callum Robinson impressed against Spurs.

But after testing positive for coronavirus while away with the Republic of Ireland, he wasn’t able to train for 10 days.

And that meant Bilic left him on the bench at Old Trafford.

Instead, Grady Diangana played in the role for the first time.

But the winger looked a touch lost, with Robinson – who will be facing his former side – likely to get the nod here.

After tomorrow’s game, the Baggies have two matches that again look winnable on paper against Crystal Palace and Newcastle. They are also huge.

But with Sheffield United currently sitting bottom of the table, Bilic admits there is no underplaying just how important tomorrow’s match is.

“The atmosphere in the group is good and we are ready for this big game,” the head coach said.

“It is a vital game for both teams. We need that win, it would be great to get that win finally.

“But if anyone is expecting the atmosphere in our group to be dark, miserable or negative it’s anything but.

“We know we are in every game. We are improving, it’s not like we are miles off getting a result.

“But on the other hand it still means nothing because we have do it. We have to turn performances into results. It’s time to do that.

“Both teams are going to look at it as a good opportunity to get that first win and hopefully turn the page."