West Brom look to finish the FA Cup job

West Brom are lucky to still be in the FA Cup but, with a home tie against League One Peterborough in the fourth round up for grabs, they will be pleased they are.

It's only been 10 days since James Morrison's 95th-minute equaliser robbed the Robins of a remarkable upset at the Hawthorns, but a lot has happened in that time.

Albion have played two games and lost their last-minute hero Morrison to a long-term hamstring injury, as well as skipper Darren Fletcher to a knee problem.

City sacked Steve Cotterill, but interim manager John Pemberton guided the Championship strugglers to a shock 1-0 win over leaders Middlesbrough on Saturday.

If the Baggies were surprised by how difficult the first meeting was, then rest assured the replay at Ashton Gate is going to be even tougher.

Tony Pulis' side looked tired at St Mary's on Saturday, and the head coach blamed the lethargy on both the congested fixture list and his small squad.

Defender Jonny Evans admitted that moving to a back three stretched an already weary team, but he did praise the club's attitude to rest in between games.

He said: "I've been very impressed since I've been here with the medical department and the way they go about things in recovery.

"The manager has been giving us as much rest as we need in between games to make sure we've got that.

"We do have a small squad, all right we might have started slow on Saturday but if you look at the distance-covered stats I think we'll be up there with the highest that we have been.

"I think it's testament to the medical staff and the players. I don't know about Southampton, whether they changed their team or not for the Cup game, but that was a real hard physical game.

"Whenever you're chasing the game and you're playing that five at the back it almost becomes a three at the back.

"The pitch can become a bit stretched and they've also got quick players up front, all over the pitch really.

"They moved the ball well, dominated possession which made it hard for us. You could see we were having to put a real shift in."

That Albion team did not look like they could play another match in three days time, least of all a high-profile uncomfortable replay in the FA Cup.

Yes, the squad is small, but Pulis has made it even smaller. By refusing to start either Callum McManaman or Saido Berahino, he's putting undue pressure on his other players.

Tonight's game is the perfect opportunity to give both of them a chance. The case for Berahino is now almost inescapable.

Rickie Lambert still looks off the pace and Victor Anichebe was ineffective against Southampton.

More worrying though is Salomon Rondon's lack of form since his return from a three-match suspension.

The £12million record signing has been barely visible during the last three games, and his stint on the sidelines did nothing to improve his poor finishing.

Berahino took just four minutes to score against Bristol City 10 days ago and regardless of where his future lies, by process of elimination, at the moment, he's the club's most dangerous goal threat.

The Robins will be up for it, buoyed by Saturday's win over Boro and determined to make home advantage count.

It's always hard playing a team without a manager, but there's an even bigger game against Villa following on Saturday.

Evans said: "It's a tough game away at Bristol, they haven't got a manager and they'll be trying to do something there.

"Obviously, it's a derby on Saturday and I'm sure everyone is looking forward to that. They're always tough games no matter what the circumstances."

Dismissing Peterborough is as naive and dangerous as disregarding Bristol City, but a kind fourth round draw is definitely a carrot Albion should grab with both hands.