Tony Pulis must correct West Brom selection mistakes

The Baggies boss got his selection wrong at the Amex Stadium, both in midfield and defence.

His three holding midfielders struggled to get forward in a game that was there for the taking and encouraged a fragile Brighton team to attack.

Such a cautious approach against a West Ham team in turmoil will not be accepted at The Hawthorns tomorrow.

After a successful window, supporters will expect much more adventure against visitors who come with an exposed underbelly.

Slaven Bilic’s team shipped four in this fixture last season, and there has been little evidence since to suggest the Croatian has fixed his defensive problems.

Despite their Monday night win over Huddersfield, the Hammers still offer Pulis a great opportunity to get back to winning ways. But he needs to pick the right team.

He now has a plethora of options at his disposal, but it is two familiar faces who could hold the key. James Morrison gave the Baggies some much-needed impetus off the bench last time out, and should be in line for a start tomorrow.

Crucially, Morrison needs to be deployed as an out-and-out No.10 rather than a central midfielder.

Nacer Chadli faces a late fitness test on his muscle strain, but regardless of whether the Belgian is fit or not, Morrison deserves that central pivot place more.

Chris Brunt was also left out of the team in Brighton, but whether it is left-back or left-wing, the Northern Irishman needs to start.

Not only does he provide a threat from set pieces, but he’s a cool head on the ball.

Last season, when these two old heads returned, the form improved dramatically and they have proved indispensable over and over again.

Not that the new boys will be ignored. Pulis will persevere with star signing Grzegorz Krychowiak and with Gareth Barry playing so well that leaves Jake Livermore in line for the chop.

The Baggies boss got his defence muddled up last weekend, when Allan Nyom suffered at left-back, but there is no need to play anyone out of position anymore.

He may want Kieran Gibbs to bulk up, but the left-back showed promise from the bench at Brighton and deserves to start.

If it is still too early for Pulis, use Brunt there and shift Nyom over to right-back where he is more comfortable.

Gareth McAuley’s return from injury throws another spanner in the works, and the 37-year-old says his thigh feels ‘perfectly normal’. But it is still too soon for the big man, meaning Jonny Evans will be partnered by either Craig Dawson or Ahmed Hegazi.

For the past two seasons this team has practically picked itself. But Pulis has some genuinely interesting decisions to make now.

He deserves time to find his strongest line-up, but if lessons aren’t learned from last weekend, then the grumbles will return.