View: Worrying trend could show Southampton path to success against West Brom
West Brom travel to Southampton on Sunday afternoon looking to pick up their first Premier League win of the season.
The Baggies have started disappointingly in the opening month, picking up a single point from games against Chelsea, Everton and Leicester.
Slaven Bilic has reason to be optimistic after his side drew 3-3 with Chelsea, although they were three goals to the good in the clash.
A trip to the Saints will be seen as a winnable-game compared to the rest, and the Baggies will arrive at St. Mary’s full of confidence.
Southampton will be thinking the same though, and one worrying stat could show them the path to success on the south coast.
West Brom have conceded 11 goals in the Premier League so far, and the majority of those have come from set-pieces or down their left.
With Kieran Gibbs suspended, Conor Townsend will fill that void once more and he must stop that worrying trend on Saturday.
Looking at the draw against Chelsea, all three came from the left.
Mason Mount cut in from the left for the first, striking beyond Sam Johnstone from distance. After that, a simple one-two cut open the Baggies left-hand side for Callum Hudson-Odoi to finish.
After that, a ball deep into the box was hit across for Tammy Abraham to score on the rebound – not good enough.
Danny Ings is one of the countries in-form strikers in the past year, and we may see him drift in from the left on Sunday, something the Albion must stop.
Southampton will see this as a path to victory, and this must be eradicated quickly.
In other West Brom news, agents of this Baggies player open discussions with club owner over imminent exit
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