West Ham v West Brom: The hard work starts now as Albion bid to build on derby-day success

But while the result delighted boss Sam Allardyce, the 66-year-old knows there is still a lot of work to do be done if Albion are to become a side resilient enough to stay in the Premier League.

The Dudley-born chief is determined to mould his side into one that picks up results on a weekly basis.

“If you start with a point, you finish with a point,” you will often hear the Baggies head coach say.

Of course that isn’t easy when you are playing the likes of Liverpool, Man City, Tottenham and Manchester United.

But tonight’s trip to West Ham represents another chance to get a point on the board – with the Hammers having won just once at home since November.

That win did arrive against Burnley on Saturday.

Nevertheless, by improving in some key areas Allardyce will back his players to secure another crucial result – with the boss both unhappy and surprised his team managed to concede two goals from set-plays against Wolves.

“The only way we get our head above water is to get to the same points per game,” he said. “Once we do that things will look a lot brighter.

“The win against Wolves has given us a three-point platform from which we have to kick on.

“But again we conceded poor goals and we cannot do that against West Ham.

“Those two goals have not been us. Not just since I have been here but for most of the season.

“We have looked at the set-plays and we’ve conceded very few goals this season from set-plays.

“Our goals have been stupid mistakes in open play and allowing the opposition to capitalise on those mistakes and score.

“Against Wolves, the last thing I thought was that we were going to concede goals from set-plays. We have to stop that.

“If they score a fantastic goal then you can hold your hands up. But we can’t keep gifting goals away.”

Allardyce also wants to see more from his team going forward.

“Another small criticism from the Wolves game is that we didn’t convert a chance from open play,” he continued.

“We still have to improve that. Our goals came from two penalties and a throw-in.

“I have seen us create chances but we have to convert them.

“That is something we can work on. We can’t always rely on set-plays.”

Despite the quick turnaround, Allardyce is expected to make just one change from the team that beat Wolves at the London Stadium tonight.

Having served a one-game suspension, Conor Gallagher is expected to come into the midfield at the expense of Romaine Sawyers. But the game is likely to come too soon for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone who is working his way back to full health after contracting coronavirus.

Predicted XI:

Albion (4-2-3-1): Button, O’Shea, Bartley, Ajayi, Gibbs, Livermore, Gallagher, Snodgrass, Pereira, Grosicki, Robinson. Subs: Lonergan, Peltier, Furlong, Kipre, Ivanovic, Krovinovc, Sawyers, Field, Robson-Kanu.