West Brom blog: Let's add some creativity at Albion

The John Smith’s Stadium is by no means an easy place to go – as Manchester United will tell you – so Albion need a bright start, to ensure we play on the front foot and match the opposition’s intensity.

Tony Pulis’ team selection will set the tone for how we want to approach the match.

Despite a tendency to drift in and out, Phillips does usually make a difference as he’s one of few players in the squad who can beat a man and create chances. We saw that last season as he registered nine assists in all competitions.

What’s more, he has some forward momentum behind him after netting against Manchester City. His last start came against Watford, while he didn’t play at all at Leicester.

Chadli, meanwhile, made a brilliant impact on his first Premier League appearance with that superb free-kick at the King Power. On a technical and creative level, he’s arguably our strongest player.

The pair also offer a threat from set-pieces, an area where we’ve not been as potent of late.

I have made my thoughts clear on the use of three holding midfielders. Doing this isolates the striker and invariably invites the opposition onto us.

I hope to see Phillips and Chadli out wide with Jay Rodriguez partnering Salomon Rondon up front.

Or, as an alternative, Chadli in behind the striker with Phillips and one of Chris Brunt or James McClean on the flanks. I know some fans have been advocating this.

Oliver Burke managed 45 minutes with the Under-23s in the week, and if fit I would include him on the bench and look to unleash him towards the latter stages of the game. Injury has meant we haven’t properly seen him in an Albion shirt yet, but he looked sharp coming off the bench at Brighton.

Overall, I’ll feel a lot more confident if Phillips and Chadli are included in the starting line-up. We need them to step up and deliver, as Albion look to end a miserable run of eight games without a victory in the league.

Keep The Faith.