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What West Ham need to do to beat West Brom

By Scott Johnson

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Slaven Bilic, Manager of West Ham United looks on from his seat during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Slaven Bilic, Manager of West Ham United looks on from his seat during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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West Ham have bee moving from the sublime to the ridiculous in recent weeks.

If they’re not losing by a huge margin to big teams, they’re getting big wins over mid-table/lower ranked sides. It’s not been much of a steady ride at all for the West Ham faithful. Slaven Bilic and the board want more stability out of the side, and this could be the perfect time.

West Brom are no mugs, and are no turning themselves into a very solid side. They are just above the Hammers in 8th position, and have never looked in real danger of getting drawn into a relegation battle. Tony Pulis has really worked hard to get the side into shape.

As such this is not going to be an easy match. So we here at Green Street Hammers have lined up 5 areas that will decide the match. If West Ham can win these battles/enact the right tactics, then they should get success. A home win would not be a bad thing at all right now.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Winston Reid of West Ham United in action with Steven Davis of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary’s Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Winston Reid of West Ham United in action with Steven Davis of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary’s Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images) /

Physical Battles

Any game against a Tony Pulis side will be physical. That’s as certain as the sun rising in the morning or Arsene Wenger not seeing a controversial incident in which Arsenal come off in a bad light. West Brom will not lie down.

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As such every player needs to be willing to do their job. Manuel Lanzini may be small but he will still have to show he isn’t a pushover. It is especially important for the defence to get on top of Rondon early in the match.

In Rondon and Carroll you have arguably the two best out and out target men in the league. Both of them use their size and strength to get amongst the defence. They’re both extremely hard to deal with and whoever can get the best of the opposition’s defence will have a huge impact on the game.

It will also be important for those in the centre of midfield to do the same. Allowing West Brom time and space in the centre of the pitch would be fatal. They are an efficient side and will not waste too many opportunities if presented.