The Birmingham Mail's Paul Suart lifts the lid on Sunday's visitors
West Bromwich Albion correspondent Paul Suart for The Birmingham Mail lifts the lid on Sunday's visitors
A huge win for the Baggies last weekend over Arsenal, how important could that result be?
“It was a huge win really especially considering they had back-to-back defeats before that, so it was very important to get back to winning ways. I think it was also important because it showed they can compete with the big teams in the division. It was also Albion’s first comeback win under Tony Pulis, so to come back from behind against a team like Arsenal was massive.”
How would you summarise West Brom’s season so far?
“It’s been very hit and miss, they’ve struggled to find any kind of consistency. Generally away from home they’ve been extremely tight and hard to break down. I don’t think they’ve actually conceded a goal in the first half of a match yet, so that shows how organised and disciplined Pulis has got his side, and how hard they are to break down when playing away.”
Who for you has been the stand out performers, which players have caught your eye?
“James McClean has done very well over the last month, he has really stood out. He was fabulous against Arsenal, tracking back to help Chris Brunt deal with Alexis Sanchez and then bombing forward. His work rate is just phenomenal; he has got such an engine on him. He’s always so committed and full blooded in the tackle, while improving his end product too.
“In terms of the new signings, Jonny Evans has been easily the best, he’s barely put a foot wrong at the heart of defence; he’s been brilliant.”
A huge win for the Baggies last weekend over Arsenal, how important could that result be?
“It was a huge win really especially considering they had back-to-back defeats before that, so it was very important to get back to winning ways. I think it was also important because it showed they can compete with the big teams in the division. It was also Albion’s first comeback win under Tony Pulis, so to come back from behind against a team like Arsenal was massive.”
How would you summarise West Brom’s season so far?
“It’s been very hit and miss, they’ve struggled to find any kind of consistency. Generally away from home they’ve been extremely tight and hard to break down. I don’t think they’ve actually conceded a goal in the first half of a match yet, so that shows how organised and disciplined Pulis has got his side, and how hard they are to break down when playing away.”
Who for you has been the stand out performers, which players have caught your eye?
“James McClean has done very well over the last month, he has really stood out. He was fabulous against Arsenal, tracking back to help Chris Brunt deal with Alexis Sanchez and then bombing forward. His work rate is just phenomenal; he has got such an engine on him. He’s always so committed and full blooded in the tackle, while improving his end product too.
“In terms of the new signings, Jonny Evans has been easily the best, he’s barely put a foot wrong at the heart of defence; he’s been brilliant.”
The Baggies spent a lot of money on Salomon Rondon, what have you made of him so far?
“He’s a good player, he’s taken a while to adjust to the pace and the power of the English game, he’s definitely equipped for it. He’s quite speedy and mobile, a willing runner down the channels and exceptional in the air. He’s slowly but surely working on his hold-up play. He’s struggled a little bit after each international break because he has to come back from South America playing for Venezuela, so he’s adjusting to that as well.”
In all likelihood, this is the Baggies’ last visit to the Boleyn Ground, what memories do you have of this stadium?
“I’m fairly new to sports reporting actually so this will be my first and probably last visit to the Boleyn Ground. As an outsider, it’s always been a place where the fans are very passionate and really get involved, it’s quite an intimate place. From watching games on TV it looks like quite a cosy ground, so definitely a tough place for any team to come and play at.”
What is your prediction for Sunday's score?
“I’ll go with 1-1, which I think West Brom would take. An away point is always useful, and I know West Ham are missing a few key players. I’m sure West Brom will set up to frustrate and I’ll think they’ll be able to do that for most of the game but they won’t be able to hold them out for a full 90 minutes.”
“He’s a good player, he’s taken a while to adjust to the pace and the power of the English game, he’s definitely equipped for it. He’s quite speedy and mobile, a willing runner down the channels and exceptional in the air. He’s slowly but surely working on his hold-up play. He’s struggled a little bit after each international break because he has to come back from South America playing for Venezuela, so he’s adjusting to that as well.”
In all likelihood, this is the Baggies’ last visit to the Boleyn Ground, what memories do you have of this stadium?
“I’m fairly new to sports reporting actually so this will be my first and probably last visit to the Boleyn Ground. As an outsider, it’s always been a place where the fans are very passionate and really get involved, it’s quite an intimate place. From watching games on TV it looks like quite a cosy ground, so definitely a tough place for any team to come and play at.”
What is your prediction for Sunday's score?
“I’ll go with 1-1, which I think West Brom would take. An away point is always useful, and I know West Ham are missing a few key players. I’m sure West Brom will set up to frustrate and I’ll think they’ll be able to do that for most of the game but they won’t be able to hold them out for a full 90 minutes.”